Shortly after finishing my pint and trudging back to the car following the full time whistle between Leeds and Nottingham Forest, I first wondered how the officials hadn’t spotted a foul on Stuart Dallas in the area during the closing stages which would’ve given my team the chance of sealing three points in the first home game of the new season.

Then, after my annoyance at the officials subsided, a far too familiar frustration from last season came back to haunt me. Our inability to put the ball into the back of the net is what cost us last year, and naturally for a team which had the worst conversion rate in the league previously, the fingers get pointed at the forwards. Kemar Roofe has gone on his Belgian adventure with Vincent Kompany and good luck to him, which leaves Patrick Bamford, definitely the player causing most debate within the fan base at this moment in time (which is quite an achievement given Casilla’s antics in goal).

Before this article descends into pure ranting, let’s outline Bamford’s season so far based purely on stats. He has one goal after two matches from eight shots and has lost the ball an average of two times per game so far, although he has kept a healthy pass completion rate of 85.7%, a stat which would please possession based Bielsa. As for the Forest game, individually he attempted four shots in the match, one of which he put on target in the first half which Forest keeper Arijanet Muric kept out well. Although he didn’t score during the game, Bamford showed a new willingness to run the channels and come for the ball, which was a pleasing change to see from last season, and credit to him for clearly working hard on his fitness over the summer.

Here comes the big but though. For all his notable improvement in his overall game and his willingness to put himself about more, Bamford still lacks that clinical nature which Bielsa’s system thrives and depends upon. The football which we’ve played in the first two games has, as always, been crisp and easy on the eye, but that just makes it ever more frustrating when we don’t get the results our play merits. And the blame, regardless of personal opinion on Bamford’s ability, has to fall somewhat on his shoulders.

His first clear chance in the second half, the miscued volley which hit the crossbar, simply has to be a goal regardless of what level you’re playing at. If you’re the main striker for your team, it’s your responsibility to make sure that ball ends up in the back of net. His second was as brilliant as it was frustrating, a lovely first touch only let down by the dink which he placed marginally wide. Bamford showed his ability to excite and disappoint within the space of about five seconds of play.

Now I want to make it clear that I am in no way saying that Patrick Bamford is a terrible footballer who shouldn’t be starting for Leeds, quite the contrary. When he was fit and firing last year, Bamford actually had a better conversion rate than the aforementioned Kemar Roofe, and became somewhat of a scapegoat for the teams lack of efficiency in front of goal, which was unfair given they were all at it towards that disastrous end.

But I think that’s partially where the frustration lies with Bamford, the inconsistency. He has shown Leeds fans that when he’s in the mood he can be a really sharp finisher, but equally shown that on a bad day it can turn really sour. Nottingham Forest was undoubtedly a bad day. It was a bad day for most of the players I actually thought, but naturally when you dominate games and don’t win, the faults of the attackers are noticed more than the defenders.

The goal which we conceded was horrifically poor and another issue which could be discussed, but that won’t be the main discussion among fans tonight. Bamford had two very good chances to score and took neither, and for the teams main forward that simply isn’t good enough. He’s not stupid, he’ll know that and will want to put it right next time, but with Eddie Nketiah now breathing down his neck it really puts the pressure on to find consistency, which can only be a good thing.

I think sometimes with Bamford the fee we payed for him leads to fans expecting more than what we’ve got from him. Chris Wood was a near 30 goal a season striker for us who went for £15 million, and it would be hard for anyone to replicate that ruthless efficiency in front of goal, not least a man who was valued in the market as half that when brought in and has had multiple injury problems.

Is he a sensational striker? No. Is he anywhere near as bad as some fans make him out to be? Also no. But to say he is void of any criticism is false and I can eventually see Bielsa losing patience in his main forward if the chances don’t start getting converted as was the case today. With goals come confidence, and I do genuinely believe Bamford can start firing them in once he gets a couple under his belt. For the sake of all Leeds fans I just hope that can be sooner rather than later.