Chris Wilder hits back at Patrick Bamford Sheffield United theory after Coventry City transfer reveal over ex-Leeds United man
Chris Wilder hits back at Patrick Bamford Sheffield United theory after Coventry City transfer reveal over ex-Leeds United man
Chris Wilder has hit back at some of the “lazy” question marks over Sheffield United’s decision to sign free agent Patrick Bamford ahead of Sunday’s Steel City clash with Wednesday, revealing that Coventry City were considering a deal for the former Leeds United man. Bamford had been training with the league leaders after leaving Leeds in the summer.
The suggestion initially was that it was a favour to the England international forward from Sky Blues boss Frank Lampard, a former teammate at Chelsea. Bamford subsequently was unveiled as a Blade after signing a short-term deal to return to Yorkshire, initially until January.
One of the key concerns from Unitedites about the signing is Bamford’s fitness levels, with the striker having suffered with injuries during his time in West Yorkshire. But Wilder has countered that issue by pointing out his availability in his final season at Elland Road, while his spell with Coventry means he is not coming in from the cold completely.
“Pat’s been good,” said Wilder, speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield ahead of the trip to Wednesday. “He was at Coventry for over five weeks and I spoke to Frank about him as well. It was touch and go whether they took him.
“I think Pat thought that he'd get more minutes for us as well. They've got an outstanding front line, Coventry, and Pat still wants to play, which I think is really refreshing. He's in good shape. We've done a medical. He played 45 minutes for the U21s earlier this week and he’s ready to go.”
The 32-year-old, who won a solitary England cap at Wembley in a 4-0 win over Andorra in 2021, offers Wilder a different option in attack after the summer sale of Kieffer Moore, sanctioned by his predecessor Ruben Selles, left United without a typical focal point.
Chris Wilder hits back at Patrick Bamford Sheffield United theory after Coventry City transfer reveal over ex-Leeds United man
“He gives us that experience, gives us that number nine,” Wilder added. “I think all Sheffield United supporters will realise that we've missed that number nine. We're a number nine club as well.
“There are different ways to win different games of football. I'm not stuck on this idea of just playing one way. Over, through and round. But with the number nine, I think it's quite interesting now.
“People are talking about the importance, even in football in general, of a target man. We haven't had one. We've had to play a certain way at times. It's frustrating because you're having to play one way and you can't change it up. Now with Pat in the building, it gives us another option.
“He’s a lad that was available last season as well. There’s a lot of lazy journalism. I answered a question today regarding Pat and being out injured. Every player has an injury, every player has a couple of injuries.
“Pat's appearance record is good. He was available for 37 games last season. It was only because Leeds United had top players at the top of the pitch [that he was restricted to 18 appearances.]
“Joel Piroe was on fire, leading goalscorer for them, and they were winning games, getting to 100 points. But Pat feels he's still got a point to prove. I've talked to him, we've seen him train, talked to Frank, spoke to their medical staff.
“And it was pretty touch and go whether they took him. I think there was an argument that they might be having a bit of a go at it in January - and quite rightly so - and Pat thought that maybe he wouldn't get the minutes that he wanted.
“He's got to get in to our side, but he will do. And he'll be a valuable contribution from an area of the pitch that we need and are missing.”