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David Prutton exclusive: Marcelo Bielsa right to start Patrick Bamford for Leeds United at Sheffield Wednesday
Former Leeds midfielder David Prutton believes that Marcelo Bielsa is right to stick with Patrick Bamford for Saturday's clash with Sheffield Wednesday.
The striker has now gone two months without scoring after posting another blank in their 1-1 draw with Preston last time out.
Prior to that run though, Bamford netted four goals in his first five games, also grabbing an assist in the 3-0 victory over Stoke.
Joining Bamford in the strikers department is Eddie Nketiah, the Arsenal forward that Leeds took on a season-long loan in the summer.
However, his game time has been largely restricted to appearances from the bench.
Nketiah has caught the eye after averaging a league goal every 73 minutes, while Bamford has been posting a goal every 247 minutes.
That has led to calls for a change given the England youngster's goal-scoring exploits in the limited spells he's enjoyed on the pitch while in West Yorkshire.
Bielsa though has been fierce in his defence of Bamford's contribution, despite a lack of goals, citing the striker's ability to create chances from open play.
With a Yorkshire derby up next, Prutton agrees that Bamford should be the preferred option in the solo striker slot, but acknowledges that change will be needed if a goal doesn't come soon.
Patrick Bamford (Sky Bet Championship - 2019/20)
- 39 shots
- 13 shots on target
- 9 big chances missed
- 4 goals
- 10% goal conversion rate
Eddie Nketiah (Sky Bet Championship - 2019/20)
- 11 shots
- 6 shots on target
- 3 big chances missed
- 3 goals
- 27% goal conversion rate
"I've read Bielsa's comments on it," Prutton told Sporting Life.
"He was talking about it on a whole as opposed to the individual player and I quite admire him saying that 'I'm drilling so much into the players so for me to chuck them out early into the season - well how does that reflect on the information I'm giving them'.
"I understand that but it's what football is. Eddie gets goals but the real test of him would be whether he starts and makes the same impact.
"I'm sure Arsenal weren't allowing him to go to get around 17 minutes of action a game, which will be nowhere near what they need for a young player going out on-loan - particularly with Bristol City also reportedly interested.
"They'll be plenty of scope and debate about whether or not he'll still be there come January.
"But you take into account the size of the game against Sheffield Wednesday. You also take into account the magnitude of the game, second v third in the league, I think you go with your more established front line.
"If it then isn't going as planned you get Nketiah on as soon as possible.
"If this is a game where Leeds toil and if this is a game where Leeds only get a point, or even lose, then I think seriously in the next game you have got to have a sincere thought from the management point of view of putting Nketiah in there.
"It's of course not late into the season, we're not even at the midway point, but it's far enough along as we get into November to think that, if you've got someone sat on the bench who comes on and scores goals, you've got to give him a go from the start."
Prutton played for both clubs during his 16-year career, with Leeds first between 2007 and 2010 before joining Sheffield Wednesday in 2011.
Wednesday have experienced an upturn in form since Monk's appointment at the beginning of September and have won their last two at Hillsborough.
Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds betting (odds via Sky Bet)
Leeds though boast the second-best away record in the Championship; only West Brom have seen more success on the road.
While the home side are the outsiders in the betting, Prutton believes that the game will be a lot closer than the odds reflect.
"Garry (Monk) wants to do well with Wednesday. Garry will want to maintain where they are and push further on and we're looking at a Wednesday side who have been much closer to the Premier League in recent seasons than Leeds have.
"There's that recent goodwill afforded to the Wednesday side and Monk has got to ensure that is maintained but you've also got to think that he'll be looking at a Leeds team and a club that he knows inside out.
"He'll want to beat them but Leeds will want to do exactly the same. I'll be intrigued to see the reception that Monk gets from the Leeds fans but he did a good job in the circumstances at Leeds at the time he was there.
"It's an intriguing tactical battle between two good squads. A young manger with a point to prove against the relentless motivation of a man on a Premier League mission in Bielsa.
"Leeds need to add the kill to the exhaustive hunt of their prey! It's a tough one to call but I'd sit on the fence and say it'll be a draw."
Odds correct at 1130 BST (24/10/19)