Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford hails main difference in second attempt at the Premier League

PATRICK Bamford says Marcelo Bielsa's 'belief' has led to his superb Premier League showings at the second time of asking - with the striker not even counting his first attempt that began in 2015.
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Whites no 9 Bamford took his tally for the season to six goals in six games by slamming home a sensational 19-minute hat-trick in Friday night's 3-0 romp at Aston Villa.

The forward first made his Premier League debut on loan from Chelsea at Crystal Palace back in August 2015 and netted just once in 27 top-flight outings over the next two seasons with four different clubs in Palace, Burnley, Norwich City and Middlesbrough with the solitary goal coming for the latter.

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Yet 23 of those appearances came from off the bench and moreover Bamford said he was now benefiting from the total trust of Whites head coach Bielsa who has stuck by the striker through thick and thin since his arrival from Middlesbrough for £7m in July 2018.

"I don't count the first lot because I was always playing two minutes off the bench, five minutes here and there," said Bamford, asked by BT Sport what was the difference this time around.

"I think this time I have got a manager who believes in me.

"As long as I keep working hard he will keep trusting me so it's up to me to make sure that I am helping the team as much as I can and then I am sure he will keep showing his faith."

All three of Bamford's goals as part of his Friday night and first ever Whites hat-trick came in the second half following a frustrating first period in which two good chances went begging with the striker putting two attempts from inside the box wide.

FAITH: In Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford shown by Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa is again rewarded as the forward nets his first goal as part of a hat-trick in Friday's 3-0 romp at Aston Villa. Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images.FAITH: In Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford shown by Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa is again rewarded as the forward nets his first goal as part of a hat-trick in Friday's 3-0 romp at Aston Villa. Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images.
FAITH: In Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford shown by Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa is again rewarded as the forward nets his first goal as part of a hat-trick in Friday's 3-0 romp at Aston Villa. Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images.
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"After the header I thought, 'you know what, it was kind of far out, I'll give myself that one'," said Bamford.

"And then I should have scored the second one no doubt so I was frustrated.

"But I knew that the next one I would get another chance so I stuck it away and luckily I got three."

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Thank you Laura Collins

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