Sheffield United's Patrick Bamford Scores in Opening Match
Sheffield United's Patrick Bamford marked the start of the new season with a goal at Mansfield Town after missing the end of pre-season for the birth of his daughter, with Chris Wilder convinced the experienced striker still has more to offer Sheffield United after finishing as last season's leading scorer.
Why it matters for Sheffield United
Chris Wilder is confident that Patrick Bamford can go “from strength to strength again” this term after opening his account at the first time of asking at Mansfield Town on Sunday. Bamford only signed for United in November last year yet his 13 goals saw him finish as the Blades’ top scorer.
What comes next?
He didn’t hit the net in pre-season, missing the final friendly of the summer as his partner gave birth, but got up and running for the campaign proper when he tapped home Joe Rothwell’s shot to put the Blades 1-0 ahead at Field Mill. They eventually won 3-0 to set up a second-round clash with Blackburn Rovers later this month at Ewood Park, with Bamford looking sharp as he dropped deep to link play and also offered a threat in behind.
Chris Wilder's Verdict
“He would have come over to Bochum, but he had family first,” Wilder said. “Pat's been outstanding. He's a really important player. “That's the reason we only played him for 60 minutes. He's not done a lot of training but he wanted to be involved in this game. He wasn't involved over the weekend. “He had a really stressful weekend that obviously ended up with a baby girl in the Bamford household, which is great for Pat and his family. You have to deal with your family first. “He did but he's back in and I'm looking forward to more from Pat if we can keep him fit. Look at what he produced last season for us. “He gives us experience at the top of the pitch, and we're looking forward to seeing him go from strength to strength again.”
What's Next for Sheffield United?
The Blades will now look to build on this strong start to the season, with a second-round clash with Blackburn Rovers later this month at Ewood Park. With Patrick Bamford looking sharp and Chris Wilder confident in his abilities, the Blades will be hoping to make a strong push for promotion this term.
