Earlier in the season if you had told most Middlesbrough fans that Patrick Bamford would be by far Middlesbrough’s bets striker they probably would have laughed in your face. And rightly so. Since returning to Boro on a permanent basis during the 2017 January transfer window, Bamford has failed to really find any of the old form that made him Championship player of the season for 2014/15.
However, this was not a problem Bamford had when he returned to Boro. In fact, since his loan spell with the Teessider’s ended back in 2015, Bamford had a series of loan spells at Norwich, Crystal Palace and Burnley. All of which he failed to score in. In the half a season he has at Middlesbrough last season he did break his goal drought. But it was just the one goal in 14 league appearances.
Furthermore, unlike Adama Traore who pretty much instantly benefited from Pulis taking over, Bamford continued on his poor run of form for some games. Now, however, over just the space of three games, Bamford has drastically improved and looks to be back to the 2014/15 Bamford Boro fans loved so much.
Since Pulis has taken over at Boro Ruddy Gestede has largely been his go-to striker as he is strong, tall and willing to chase defenders. But Gestede now finds himself out for the rest of the season after suffering an injury vs Hull. Which put a huge spanner in Tony Pulis’s plans as it was clear he was trying to build a system that had Gestede at the forefront.
Assombalonga remained Middlesbrough’s only fit out and out striker. Although, his form under Pulis has been dismal as he has still yet to score under him. His last goal coming vs Bolton on Boxing day. Pulis did give him a shot up top vs Sunderland. Which once again he did not perform in.
So, given that Bamford was on much better goal scoring form than Britt vs Hull and Sunderland, Pulis finally gave Bamford a chance to start up front vs Leeds United. And Bamford certainly took that chance. He scored all three of Middlesbrough’s goals with some excellent finishes. It was also his first career hattrick and the first hattrick at the Riverside since Afonso Alves vs Manchester City in 2008. This mini-run of form now makes Bamford Middlesbrough’s second top scorer this season with seven goals. Also, while it is awful for Gestede to be out for the rest of the season and you should never wish injury on a player. His injury has had some positives as it has allowed Bamford to become Middlesbrough’s main striker, probably for the rest of the season.
And given that Assombalonga hadn’t scored under Pulis and Gestede had only scored three all season. However, now a very in form Patrick Bamford is starting up front for Boro, those chances are now hopefully going to be taken a lot more frequently than when Gestede was up top. As while he was a very hard worker, his finishing was somewhat questionable. This would often cost Boro valuable points. But with what looks to be Bamford back at his best up top, Boro’s promotion charge could well be firmly back on.
