Patrick Bamford has now revealed what happened at halftime when Leeds United lost 5-1 to Crystal Palace last season.
The Whites had been hosting Palace at Elland Road in a crucial relegation duel in April, and after taking the lead with Bamford’s header, everything began to crumble.
Marc Guehi headed in an equaliser in stoppage time of the first half, and Leeds were never able to recover, as Palace went on to score four consecutive goals in what turned out to be a disastrous afternoon.
After that game, there were still eight games left in the season, but Leeds never recovered from such a humiliating setback and finished with only two more points, resulting in their relegation.
Following that game, allegations circulated on social media about a fight between the players in the locker room, which Bamford has now confirmed on the current episode of the ‘My Mate’s A Footballer Podcast’.
Patrick Bamford reveals what happened in Leeds’ changing room during half-time during the Crystal Palace game.
Co-host Joe Wilkinson posed the question on behalf of a Leeds fan who submitted it. Marc Roca and Luke Ayling were identified as the two individuals involved.
Bamford stated, “Many people asked me about it at the time, but it’s not funny because we completely collapsed.” They scored right before halftime to make it 1-1, and we lost 5-1.
“Afterwards, it was discovered that there had been a brawl in the changing room. There was nothing unusual about it; people were arguing and shouting because we had succumbed before halftime.
“I’ve been in changing rooms when there were genuine fights and they had to be separated. However, the game that everyone thinks existed did not exist. I suppose it’s a simple way to explain how we lost 5-1. I couldn’t figure out why; they scored one and then went on.”
Leeds’ team is in a very different place currently.
It’s incredible what little than a year can do to the atmosphere around a football club, even if they’re now in the lower divisions.
Given how many players, particularly those who had just recently joined the club, were willing to leave in the summer, it is clear that Leeds was simply a stepping stone to Premier League football.
Now, however, there appears to be a true connection between the players and the fans, with loanee Joe Rodon stating that he has never seen anything like this at prior clubs.
Hopefully, Leeds can be promoted within the next six weeks, and the Whites will be in a far better position to stay there thanks to the significant changes behind the scenes.
