Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford opens up on play-off heartbreak against Southampton

Patrick Bamford has detailed the pain he felt after Leeds United were beaten in this year’s Championship play-off final.

Outclassed by Southampton at Wembley Stadium, Adam Armstrong’s first-half effort was enough to ensure Saints returned to the Premier League in a 1-0 defeat for the Whites. Daniel Farke’s side dominated most of the second period but were unable to find a way through with Crysencio Summerville and Dan James going close.

Limited to another season in the Championship, Bamford found the net nine times in a fruitful 2023/24 campaign. It was a topsy-turvy spell for the 30-year-old at Elland Road as he reflected on a painful finish in the capital a few weeks ago.

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“We started really well, we had all the ball, but they had more knowledge and experience and defended well,” Bamford said via My Mate’s A Footballer podcast. “They put bodies in the game and until DJ (James) hit the bar it didn’t look like we were going to score.

“While we had the ball, they controlled the game. They did very well to be fair. When it’s a final like this, it’s rare to have more than one goal because it’s pretty tight. It was horrible. I stood there like a fan. I jumped at everything, hoping something would happen.”

He continued: “Going into the game I felt we were going to win. It wasn’t our turn, really. Many of the boys wanted to go and cheer for the fans afterwards. I spoke to Coops (Liam Cooper) and the manager. I said we have to stay and congratulate Southampton.

“They won. It was the right thing to do. They agreed and we stood to applaud them as they lifted the trophy. It’s bad to lose a game, but it’s worse if you lose and you’re a bad sport. It was hard.”