Patrick Bamford’s unseen Sheffield United impact proves Chris Wilder hunch correct as Coventry City make rare season mistake
Patrick Bamford has now scored 12 goals since joining Sheffield United on a free transfer in November - with his brace at Watford only further underlining both his on-pitch value and the leadership qualities Chris Wilder believes have been crucial to the Blades’ progress.
A number of free-transfer signings made by Chris Wilder during his time at Sheffield United have gone on to be cult heroes at Bramall Lane and if he hasn’t already, Patrick Bamford is well on his way to inking his name on that list. The former Leeds United striker only signed for the Blades in November after a spell as a free agent.
But in that time he has scored 12 goals, adding two to his tally in victory at Watford this afternoon, and could have at least four or five more to his name. It doesn’t bear thinking about where United could be without his impact, offering so much more than just a goal threat in that lead-the-line role he has made his own.
There is, however, an unseen influence behind the scenes at Bramall Lane, “away from the lights” to quote an old favourite of Wilder. He has offered some valuable nous and experience to a squad badly lacking in both.
Patrick Bamford’s unseen Sheffield United impact proves Chris Wilder hunch correct as Coventry City make rare season mistake
He is simultaneously a big character and a humble hero, a player who lets his football do the talking but has been in and around this level and the one above for so long that, as a teammate, you couldn’t possibly fail to learn from him.
Adding players with a similar profile such as Jairo Riedewald and Joe Rothwell, who both started in the 2-0 win at Vicarage Road, has paid dividends. Both have been earmarked already for big roles next season - as has, unsurprisingly, Bamford.
“We lacked leadership. We've lacked resilience,” Wilder said, looking back to his decision to end Bamford’s free-agent exile which raised some eyebrows at the time. “There’s been no margin for error. We just haven't shown those qualities, and we haven't shown the consistency.
“It's been a tough season for everybody. We've had to take a lot of hits and we’re trying to restore the young boys’ confidence. And to have Pat around and the likes of Danny Ings is big for that, just to calm them down.
“Twelve goals from the number of games that he's played is a magnificent effort, and I'm sure we can keep him fit. Next season he’d look to get 15 or 20, which is obviously what you want from a centre forward. But it's not just those qualities that he possesses.
“Even at the end, he didn't want to go over the supporters because that's not his gig. He's just a humble guy, but an important one for us with his play. I thought, towards the end of the game, he gave us that number nine profile that we've needed all season, and we'll need going into next year.”
In an alternate universe Bamford could be celebrating promotion to the Premier League with Coventry City, after a spell training with Frank Lampard’s men as he looked to get back into English football. But that didn’t happen and United pounced. They haven’t got a lot wrong this season but City’s loss was the Blades’ gain.
“He’s got that experience, and you can't coach that,” Wilder added. “Anyone who has watched us recently will know that there are some chances that he'll have been a little bit disappointed to have not put away.
“But he keeps stepping up to the plate, he puts himself in those positions to miss and to score, and we're very fortunate to have him.”