Leeds United 1-1 Nottingham Forest: Hit It
Bielsa's possess and attack philosophy is only as good as its cutting edge, and Bamford was persistently the spork at the knife fight.
If only Pat Bamford had hit the thing. He didn't have to slot the ball like Pablo Hernandez firing into a foxhole; just hit it, Nike boot to Mitre ball, with force and enthusiasm. You never know what might happen.
25 minutes had gone in the first home game of the season, against Nottingham Forest, long enough for Leeds United to look good and for Elland Road to want a lead, to want Bamford to just kick the ball into the goal so Leeds can win the game. There's a new striker in the squad, eagerly cheered when he was introduced to the crowd. Has Pat not noticed? Or is that the problem? one of the problems? more of a problem?
The moment summed up the afternoon, a typical summer day out watching British football amid rain and gales. Ben White tested the new rules by collecting Kiko Casilla's goal kick inside United's penalty area, then tested the fans by toying with Lewis Grabban as he deliberated. This was the first match the Peacocks have played at Elland Road since that night against Derby County, and the new defender's strutting at the back was not a favour to the crowd's nerves.
But White's long pass over Forest's defence was a huge favour to Bamford. His run was superb, the ball was bouncing, the keeper was approaching, the top corner was waiting; but Bamford didn't hit the thing. He wanted the ball on his left foot, and that's where it all went wrong; taking a touch, he didn't cut inside, where by wrong-footing the defenders he could have correctly-footed his finish into an empty net. He just pushed the ball straight ahead, forcing himself into an impossible attempt from a tight angle with the outside of his left boot. It says something about the skill Bamford does have that he forced Arijanet Muric into a save, but it says more about his confidence that he didn't just bury it. Oh, for the snap-finishing Bamford of seven days ago.
Leeds United now have a second word of the season, joining 'continuity'. For the second week running they were described everywhere as 'smothering' their opponents; also 'suffocating' and 'starving'. It's quite stark language that sucks some of the joy from Bielsa's philosophy; he isn't aiming to stick chloroform cloths in the gobs of his opponents, but for his own team to keep the ball so they can attack without worrying about defending.