Patrick Bamford on Leeds United's lack of a fine system, names player who has turned it round under Marcelo Bielsa

The Whites are back in action this weekend as they travel to Crawley Town in the FA Cup.
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Patrick Bamford has lifted the lid on why Leeds United have no fine system in place under Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road.

United's number nine - who has bagged an impressive 10 goals in 17 Premier League games this season - says that the Whites boss doesn't believe in handing out fines to players over tardiness at Thorp Arch.

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A number of football teams enforce an unofficial system among players and staff over turning up late for training or other indiscretions committed at the club's training ground or on a match day.

Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford. Pic: GettyLeeds United striker Patrick Bamford. Pic: Getty
Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford. Pic: Getty

Bamford, though, has revealed that there is no such arrangement in place at Leeds due to the Leeds boss.

"We don't do fines at Leeds," Bamford told Leeds United's official podcast.

"The manager doesn't believe in it. He thinks it's not the best way to get someone to do something. Nothing [happens if you're late] to be honest. If you're going to be late you have to have a valid reason obviously to start with.

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"Then as long as you apologise and make it clear that you were sorry you were late. As long as you don't repeat it and it's not something that happens a couple of times a week then you're allowed a one-off."

Bamford was also asked if there were any serial offenders over being late to training among the Whites squad.

"Ian Poveda," Bamford smiled. "At the start of this season he was turning up late because I think he lived in Manchester and was struggling with the traffic and stuff.

"The lads kind of got their arm around him and said if you want to break into the team you've got to change that.

"To be fair, he listened. He's a good young lad.

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"Believe it or not there's times where you come in at 7.30am or the fitness staff will be in at 7.30am and Ian would be out on the pitch already, doing stuff on his own.

"So God knows what time he leaves his house, but he's turned it around and he's reliable now."