Patrick Bamford lifts lid on 'disappointing' Sheffield United season and his relationship with Chris Wilder
Patrick Bamford lifts the lid on Sheffield United’s season and his relationship with Chris Wilder
Patrick Bamford has conceded it is “disappointing” he is not currently part of a promotion push at Sheffield United.
The 32-year-old made a shock move to Bramall Lane in November, initially penning a short-term deal after a spell on the free agent market.
He had been cast aside by Leeds United, who deemed the forward surplus to requirements seven years after signing him from Middlesbrough.
Bamford has enjoyed a new lease of life in South Yorkshire, scoring 10 goals in 25 appearances, but his goals have not been enough to push Sheffield United into the promotion picture.
With four games remaining, Chris Wilder’s men are languishing in 17th in the Championship table.
Patrick Bamford on Sheffield United’s struggles
Bamford, who was handed an 18-month deal by the Blades in January, told talkSPORT: “It’s disappointing, the fact that we’re not pushing for promotion, but he (Wilder) wants us to win every game and obviously develop that winning mentality for next year more than anything.
“As you know in this league, it’s consistency and unfortunately over the last two months, we’ve not had that and it’s just kind of killed us."
Relationship with Chris Wilder
Eyebrows were raised when Bamford joined Sheffield United, as he had started a chant mocking Wilder when Leeds secured promotion to the Premier League in April last year.
However, the relationship between the pair now looks to be a strong and productive one.
Bamford said: “There were obviously a few questions when I joined given the previous but it’s gone well. To be fair it got quashed quite early. I rang him the day after to apologise and he took it really well actually. He said ‘I give it as much so I’ve got to be able to take it’.
“It was brushed under the carpet and it’s not really been talked about since but we have a really good relationship so it’s all good.
“He’s straight up, which is one of the things as a player that you want a manager to be – open and honest with you.
“Sometimes you’ve got to take it when he gives it to you. He says it how it is, he tells you what you’ve done right and wrong. If you deliver he’ll pat you on the back, if you don’t then he’ll let you know as well.”