Patrick Bamford update offers Sheffield United timely boost as Blades plot big Birmingham City response
Patrick Bamford update offers Sheffield United timely boost as Blades plot big Birmingham City response
Positive news has been in relatively short supply for Sheffield United over the last week or so but there is good news on the horizon with striker Patrick Bamford in line to make a much-needed return to the squad for tomorrow’s trip to Birmingham City. The former Leeds United man missed Wednesday night’s defeat at Norwich after suffering a dead leg in the weekend draw with West Brom.
United badly lacked the focal point that the former England international could have offered them at Carrow Road, while his vast nous and experience can only benefit a group that is littered with inexperienced players.
Bamford trained with United today and is available for the trip to St. Andrew’s, where United are looking to get back on the horse after an untimely run of one point from the last two games left their faint play-off hopes dangling by a thread.
“It’s really good to have him back,” boss Chris Wilder said. “I think people have overlooked that we're missing some key players as well. Pat, the goalkeeper [Michael Cooper, out for the season with a knee injury], a few others as well.
Patrick Bamford update offers Sheffield United timely boost as Blades plot big Birmingham City response
“Our best player got suspended, and I’m not too happy about that situation. I've had a chat with Gus about that. But Pat's been a big part of our resurgence since he signed for us. With the results that we've had and the performances in general.
“Performances stroke results that have been in the top four or five over quite a number of games. And Pat's been part of that so when he misses out, it's obviously a big blow for us. The feel of it over the past week, coming off the back of a disappointing second-half performance at Norwich, has been pretty negative.
“All aspects of the game, especially the second half, we have to improve on. But as quickly as it's changed the narrative and the mood, to a negative one, it can quickly change back. That's got to be our challenge going into the game on Saturday.”
United are bracing themselves for another big summer rebuild, which will inevitably see even more younger players being introduced to the senior squad amid the loss of parachute payments and new rules limiting the amount of money owners can pump into their clubs.
“Young players are going to make mistakes, like they did on Wednesday night,” Wilder added. “But this is the future. There's going to be a younger feel to it. So the balance of the experienced players being in and around it is key.
“And obviously Pat is extremely talented, but also extremely experienced and played at the highest level. So missing him is a big blow. If you look at the side, it's one of the youngest teams that I'm playing at the moment.
“You take the goalkeeper out at the starting 10, there’s Femi, Tyler Bindon, Harrison Burrows in his second season in the Championship. Sydie Peck, Andre Brooks, Tom Cannon. That's the feel of it.
“So experienced boys, like the skipper, like Jairo [Riedewald] coming back into the team, like Callum O'Hare, like Tyrese [Campbell], even though he's not an elder statesman ... they have to affect and help the younger boys.
“And the younger boys will only learn through experience of playing, and not committing the mistakes that have hurt us over the last two or three weeks.”