Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford has admitted that the “incredible” atmosphere in the clash with Norwich City was the best he’s experienced at Elland Road.
Daniel Farke’s side booked their place in the Championship playoff final with an excellent 4-0 win on Thursday (16 May) thanks to goals from Ilia Gruev, Joel Piroe, Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville.
While Bamford was forced to watch from the stands having been ruled out with an injury, the former England international was quick to heap praise on the home crowd for their support from the first whistle.
Speaking on the My Mate’s A Footballer podcast (17 May) he said: “Mate honestly that atmosphere was, it’s hard to remember others before that but that was incredible.
“As the players walked out, I thought there was no way we wouldn’t win this, with the atmosphere and I knew we were going to start fast.
“It’s the loudest I’ve ever heard Elland Road.”
Will Patrick Bamford play for Leeds United in the playoff final at Wembley?
As Leeds United emerged from the Elland Road tunnel on Thursday, there was just a feeling as though they would get the job done. Something about the atmosphere inside the ground just seemed quietly confident.
Gruev’s early goal and the excellent display in the first half certainly relaxed any nerves, but the Whites were totally in control from start to finish and a lot of that was because of the supporters inside the ground.
Whether or not that same atmosphere can be created for the final at Wembley remains to be seen, but Farke and the rest of his team will be hoping that they can pick up one more win to book their place in the Premier League.
Hopefully, Bamford will have recovered from his injury to feature in some fashion. While Piroe impressed against the Canaries, the Whites always tend to look better with the Englishman in the team.
