Alan Shearer says if Sam Allardyce wants to play the system he used at the Etihad yesterday again in Leeds' remaining three matches, then one player who 'must do better' is Patrick Bamford.
Bamford came in for criticism from the former Newcastle and England striker on Match of the Day for his performance up top. In particular, Shearer was far from impressed with Bamford's hold-up play.
The Leeds United striker was unable to hold on to the ball as much as Allardyce and his team-mates would have liked and several attacks came to nothing.
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City dominated the ball, as expected, and their attacking play was relentless. On the occasions the visitors did find their focal point in attack, Bamford's inability to make the ball stick in the final third is a big concern for Shearer.
Speaking on the BBC highlights programme last night, Shearer said: "If you listen to Sam after the game, he said they’re going to have to improve at least five per cent.
"Yes, that’s right, but what they’re also going to have to improve on is when the ball goes up to him [Bamford], if they’re going to play that same system, he’s got to do better. He’s got to give his team-mates a chance. I know it’s very difficult for him because there’s no-one within 20 or 30 yards of him, his team-mates. But he’s got to hold the ball up better to give them a chance to get up.
"Not only that, but it also gives his defence a bit of a breather, because if they don’t, the ball keeps coming back at them straight away. What happens is it's relentless. When you are playing against better teams if you keep on doing that they keep on coming at you and eventually they are going to score."
