Leeds United boss Javi Gracia has spoken about the importance of Patrick Bamford as he looks to get the striker scoring goals again ahead of the meeting with Brighton Saturday afternoon.
The 29-year-old has had another tough season both on and off the pitch for the Whites, having been plagued by repeat injuries to both his groin and knees before the World Cup break.
Since his return, he's cropped up with some important goals including a brace against Cardiff in the F.A Cup Third Round Replay but since the exit of Gracia's predecessor Jesse Marsch, he's failed to contribute in any goal involvement.
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That, coupled with the fact he missed out against his former side Chelsea as a precautionary measure following a knock to his leg, means that he might be stuck playing third-fiddle behind Georginio Rutter - if he can find form - and this season's top goalscorer Rodrigo when he returns from injury.
Bamford is also statistically the worst player in front of goal in the entire Premier League having underperformed his Expected Goals (xG) by -4.3 already this season.
But Gracia seems to be ignoring all of the warning signs and is simply focused on helping the star get back to his old ways from seasons past which saw him bagging 16 and 17 goals a season.
"I think Patrick is an important player for us," Gracia said in his pre-match press conference earlier this afternoon. "I don't know if the level is better or worse now than before but my focus right now is to make sure that he is the best version of him.
"That's my work and I'm trying to help him to do it."
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