Perseverance goes unrewarded as Patrick Bamford's England debut against Andorra analysed - Leeds Live 6/9/21
The Leeds United marksman endured a frustrating 62 minutes on his first appearance for the England senior side
Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford was handed his
long-awaited senior England debut last night, starting in the World Cup
qualifying win over Andorra.
A goal would have been the perfect way to mark his first
appearance for the Three Lions, and his 28th birthday, but he endured a
frustrating 62 minutes before being replaced by Harry Kane.
England boss Gareth Southgate has a plethora of creative
talent at his disposal but a midfield three comprised of Trent
Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson and Jude Bellingham struggled to get England
on the front foot at the pace required to carve open Andorra.
Although Bellingham looked bright, the Liverpool duo
alongside him rendered Bamford's runs futile as they looked to spread the ball
wide at every opportunity, regardless of how much space the Leeds man had
created.
At Elland Road, his intelligent movement is regularly
rewarded with incisive passes into his feet or into space but at Wembley, he
was left starved of service and cut a frustrated figure.
Andorra's status as minnows on the international stage does
not mean scoring against them is a simple task for forwards and their low block
meant Bamford had to work hard to find pockets of space. With Andorra's
midfield almost sitting on the toes of their centre-backs at times, the
28-year-old had to work tirelessly to find openings, making it all the more
frustrating when he was not picked out.
It would be unfair to level much criticism at Bamford
considering he was given little to work with, but he will have been
disappointed with himself when he sliced a shot off-target early in the
second-half.
The opportunity to make amends never came and seeing Jack
Grealish and Mason Mount come on as Bamford left was cruel in its irony, as
they would perhaps have been the players to bring him into the game.
It remains to be seen whether Bamford will be handed another
opportunity to impress on the international stage, but it is to be hoped he is
given more assistance if he does don the number nine shirt again.