Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has hit back at criticism towards Patrick Bamford following his England debut.
The Lowdown: O’Hara on talkSPORT
The 28-year-old, who famously replied to a talkSPORT post last year after they questioned him leading the line for Leeds in the Premier League, made his England debut on Sunday.
He started in the Three Lions’ 4-0 win over Andorra at Wembley but made way for Harry Kane just after the hour mark.
Speaking live on talkSPORT on Monday, Jamie O’Hara said that Bamford ‘shouldn’t’ be in the England squad and hit out at Gareth Southgate for ‘handing caps out like confetti’ in reference to the Leeds marksman.
The Latest: Kenny’s comments
Speaking to Football Insider about the negative comments on Bamford, Kenny was quick to defend the Leeds striker, saying:
“Some of the criticism is ridiculous, 100 per cent.
“Give the lad a chance, for God’s sake. It’s his first cap and it’s a big occasion. He’s never been in that position before, it’s brand new to him.
“England weren’t that good in the first half anyway. And every time I’ve seen him play, I’ve always thought ‘Wow’.
“You just have to give him a better crack of the whip, give him time. Everyone is too quick to jump on people’s backs these days.”
The Verdict: Kenny is spot on
Kane was the only English striker to score more Premier League goals than Bamford last season, with the Leeds marksman netting more than Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings.
On that basis, an England debut was the least the 28-year-old deserved. Yes, he was the worst-rated starter at Wembley as per WhoScored, but it was always going to be tricky for the forward to make an impact against a team playing a low block with three central defenders in a much-changed England side.
His first appearance as an England player shouldn’t be his last, and as Kenny rightly says, time will be required when it comes to his international career.
In other news: Ian Doyle thinks another Liverpool regular may now miss Leeds game alongside three Brazil stars.