Marcelo Bielsa claims Leeds can score enough goals in the absence of their injured top marksman Patrick Bamford.
Leeds have netted just five times in seven games while Bamford has been sidelined with his ankle problem and Bielsa’s men are sitting just one place above the drop zone.
Bamford bagged 17 Premier League goals to help fire Leeds to ninth last season in their first campaign back in the top flight and Bielsa admits the England striker is an important player.
But he insists Leeds have the firepower to cope with his absence and Raphinha has scored four Premier League goals in his nine appearances.
“If you look at the data you will also know that Bamford has gone games without scoring when he has been in the starting XI for Leeds,” said the Leeds head coach.
“To have a goalscorer is always very important. The fact that Patrick scored a goal every two games last season is impossible to ignore.
“We prepare ourselves to be able to solve the absence of any player.”
Bamford was expected to return after four weeks and Bielsa admits he still does not know when the former Chelsea hitman will be back.
He says Bamford has not suffered any complications with his injury, but is not yet pain free.
Where will Leeds finish this season? Comment below
“No, it’s still the problem with his ankle and the time needed for his recovery has not been fulfilled yet,” said Bielsa.
“It’s not a simple injury and until the pain disappears, we can’t give an exact prognosis.”
Leeds beat bottom-club Norwich to record only their second league win of the season and Bielsa admits he expected more after 10 games than to be languishing in 17th place with just 10 points.
“I have been evaluating game by game this season as all the performances have not been the same,” he said.
“There have been games that were won, lost and drawn that had different qualities.
“The amount of points and the position we are right now in the table is not what we wanted.”
