My mate Bamford? Hmmm…. Here’s an honest take. 1-0 v Newcastle and we get the penalty. I was willing Rodrigo to take it and dreading Paddy getting it. We score, we probably win and, in all likelihood stay up, we all know how the story goes. Rodrigo wants to score and has a real desire to win. Paddy frets and is a confidence player. Even if Paddy scores, he will never be a hero to a large proportion of our fans, he never will be, his face just doesn’t seem to fit (Chris Wood had exactly the same problem). For some reason, many see Rodrigo as some sort of messiah who can do no wrong. One cost 7million the other 30 odd million. If Bamford played the cross field pass v Arsenal in December when we deserved and so needed the win that cost us the Arsenal goal and points, he would be slaughtered…. Rodrigo? Hardly seen it mentioned since. Wind forward, one is playing in Saudi or wherever coining it in without a care in the world, the other is still with us coining it in which is based on a contract we gave him on the back of a great first season in the Premier League when the likes of Liverpool and Spurs were sniffing around. No one wants to remember those teams weren’t sniffing around Rodrigo because he didn’t justify it. Has he had a wretched couple of years? Yes. Did I want him to take the penalty against Newcastle? No. Has he made me tear my hair out in frustration at times? Yes. Is he our player? Yes…. And, until he isn’t, I simply can’t join in the constant lambasting that goes on. Rodrigo, adios you bang average player, Paddy, good luck my friend (or mate as you liked to put it)
Narco, we all want Bamford to do well, but sometimes he doesn't help himself in endearing to the fans. And calling Rodrigo a 'bang average player'? Come on, he scored goals and really tried hard, not his fault he got injured. Maybe you should change your dealer, oh hang on!
Think the point about Rodrigo was if he'd stayed we'd consider him a potential legend of the club. Once you jump ship though you're definitely just bang average...both as a player and a person.
Fair point Jamster, but I think we all have to understand that 'player loyalty' is long gone. Who was our last player to have a testimonial? Gary Kelly? Liam Cooper might be the next one.
To be fair, I still blame Rodrigo for the Arsenal game last year. I also blame Bamford for missing the penalty against Arsenal in the same game. I don’t discriminate. I think they are all ****!
Agree with every word. We seem to have have a history of duff big frontmen - don't forget the likes of Morison & Barn Door.
Just imagine though if Rodders had not only stayed but signed a new contract ? Players just don't get it at all.
Bamford, the recent cupping of the ears was aimed at Forest fans. Rodrigo really was bang average, he was actually a big waste of money the first two seasons and he was also very injury prone. I’m not a fan of Bamford but the abuse he gets is bad. Bamford will always be part of a promotion winning team, Rodrigo best remembered by me for being one of the back stabbers who wanted Bielsa out, a **** stirrer in the dressing room, an injury prone rat who jumped ship. Rodrigo was £30m quid down the drain, whatever his effort was his investment and outlay rewarded us with relegation and zilch I didn’t see him trying any harder than Bamford to be honest with you
Llorente dribbling around one, running forward neat pass then continuing his run and scoring in a friendly the other night. Long May this continue and bump up his value
Is there a difference between lambasting and simply stating your opinion? I don’t blame bamford for missing penalties or sitters. He doesn’t try to miss them. I’m pretty vocal about not getting on players backs because it’s counter productive. I think at his best he’s a very good footballer but he just isn’t a natural finisher and throughout his career misses more chances than a successful team at a high level would want/need. Injuries haven’t helped him, and he’s seemingly a confidence player - his most productive time in a Leeds shirt was at the highest level (which says something about his ability) and in front of no fans (which may say something about his self belief). On a side note I didn’t like how he threw his team-mates under the bus a couple of times last season, but maybe that’s just frustration coming out in a post match interview. I’ve torn my hair out like everyone else, and I hope we sign a quality striker this summer. But if and when Paddy plays this year I hope he bangs them in and shuts me and others up. I hope ‘the best fans in the world’ give him a chance.
