'Mentally drained' - Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford delivers excuse for Brighton defeat

Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford has claimed that he and his teammates were beaten by Brighton on Saturday afternoon because they were “mentally drained”.
Patrick Bamford of Leeds United. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Patrick Bamford of Leeds United. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Patrick Bamford of Leeds United. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The Whites made the long trip down to the south coast over the weekend, but went away empty handed thanks to goals from Pascal Gross and Danny Welbeck.

The result meant that Albion climbed up to 14th in the table, and ended a run of six games unbeaten for their visitors.

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But Bamford believes that the reason for his side’s lacklustre display was the amount of effort they’ve had to put into an extended spell of tricky fixtures.

Speaking on the Official Leeds United Podcast, he said: “It was one of them.

"I think the last few games took their toll on the team, not just physically, but I think, mentally drained.

"When I came off and was watching, we didn’t look like our usual selves. We just looked a yard off it and just looked tired, to be honest.

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"I don’t think it’s about getting yourself up for the game specifically against Brighton, I think it’s more the fact that you’ve put everything into the last four games – one is a Yorkshire derby, then you’re playing Liverpool, Man United, and Man City.

"You’re putting so much into that, you’re concentrating so much in the weeks going into them games, and they’re all so close together that then when you’ve got through that period you almost take a deep breath.

"Subconsciously, I reckon, you’re worn out without even realising it. You’re not thinking, ‘I’m spent here’, but when the match turns out like that, it’s apparent.”

Bamford made headlines in the buildup to Saturday's clash when he claimed that former Leeds loanee Ben White would have earned himself an England call-up by now had he remained at Elland Road last summer.

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Speaking on the same podcast, the striker said: “The fact Ben is back there makes it a little more interesting.

“I’ve WhatsApped him a little bit. He is enjoying it back there.

“I think it is because it’s where he is from. He is back with his family and friends.

“If he had stayed at Leeds he would have probably got in the England squad. He would be in the England squad".