Patrick Bamford admitted he and the Leeds United players were planning to play the full 90 minutes in Friday’s 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace but had to alter plans last minute. The Whites striker played the opening 45 minutes before sitting on the bench as Rodrigo’s second-half penalty was cancelled out by Jean Phillipe Mateta.
The game was disjointed for the most part as the turf of the Optus Stadium struggled to hold up under pressure and ill-judged challenges littered the match. The Australian brandished several yellow cards to both sides, including Jesse Marsch for dissent.
But Bamford admitted after the match that the plan was to progress from Sunday’s defeat to Aston Villa by keeping the majority of the starting lineup on for the full 90.
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“The original plan was to play 90s and then try and play Palace (again) tomorrow with the rest of the team who didn't play as much,” Bamford said after the match. “But they've got a slightly smaller squad with Covid stuff so just 45 share it around and then tough running tomorrow.”
Whites duo Luis Sinisterra and Adam Forshaw failed to last the first half, with the Colombian winger leaving the pitch after just 11 minutes with a suspected hamstring injury while Forshaw came off after 30 minutes, seemingly as a precaution.
But despite the poor surface and some clumsy challenges, Whites striker Bamford said the friendly was an enjoyable affair, adding that eventual retirement might see the now 28-year-old enjoying life Down Under.
“It was slippy but obviously it’s nice to be in a big, lovely stadium and hopefully the fans enjoyed a good pre-season game.” Bamford said, adding when asked about a move to Australia: “Yeah (Australia has) grown on me. The first time we came we didn't get to see that much of the cities where we were staying but this time we’ve got out and about and seen what it’s like. I’ve really enjoyed it.”
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