Michael Skubala believes Patrick Bamford’s quotes after Leeds United’s loss to Nottingham Forest simply 'came from the heart’. Bamford cut an exasperated figure at the City Ground on Sunday afternoon as he struggled to get a foothold in the match and prevent Leeds from losing 1-0 in a huge contest at the bottom of the Premier League table.
It was a result that ultimately led to Jesse Marsch being relieved of his duties on Monday afternoon after just less than a year in charge, with Leeds perched precariously on the edge of the relegation zone. Immediately after the game, though, Bamford could be heard airing his frustrations in a post-match interview.
The striker seemed to publicly question Leeds’ tactics in the game, which seemed to leave him isolated during his time on the pitch.
Read more: Every word Leeds United's Michael Skubala said on Jesse Marsch exit, injuries and Manchester United
He said: “I was saying in the changing room, their centre-backs had literally just me to concentrate on so we needed more runners running past me to drag them out of position and create more space. Whereas the whole game was literally just two vs one, which made it really difficult and unfortunately today I couldn't find the answer to solve that."
Bamford’s words have been met with a mixed response with some praising him for his honesty, while others, such as BBC pundit Chris Sutton, have accused him of trying to unburden himself of any responsibility for the defeat.
Sutton went on to question why Bamford felt the need to speak about the situation to the press at all. Skubala, though, who is preparing to take charge of the Whites as part of a three-man caretaker team completed by Chris Armas and Paco Gallardo, says Bamford was giving nothing more than just an honest opinion of the way the game went.
“I think Pat was just being open about what he thought about the situation at the time and how he was playing the game,” Skubala said as he took the club’s pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday night’s game with Manchester United. “He thought he was a little bit isolated in that sense.
“I think it came from the heart.”
Bamford will be looking to keep his spot in the side this week at Old Trafford and build on the positive performances he turned in prior to his difficult run out against Forest on Sunday.
