David Prutton has backed Leeds United to find a way of getting Eddie Nketiah and Patrick Bamford into the same side, stating that the introduction of the Arsenal loanee could lift the pressure of the Whites’ No.9.  

Leeds have enjoyed a strong start to the season, sitting third in the table after the opening month. Bamford has been key to that, scoring four goals and registering one assist in his six Championship starts.

So far, he’s kept Nketiah on the bench, but the Arsenal loanee has three goals in just five appearances across all competitions, with fans debating who should lead the line.

This week, Football League World’s Chief Editor, Sam Rourke, caught up with Prutton, with the pundit offering his thoughts on Leeds’ striking dilemma.

“Yeah, I absolutely do,” Prutton replied, when quizzed on whether the pair could start together in the future.

“They’re two players who will have played in a two before."

During his time as Leeds boss, Bielsa has always preferred to field a lone striker, but he admitted in wake of last month’s win over Brentford that he might be tempted to field Nketiah and Bamford together.

And, for Prutton, despite Bielsa’s success with Leeds, his way isn’t the only way.

He continued: “Leeds have a very definite way of playing, which has garnered them plaudits and relative success, but they’ve still not got promoted, let’s not say that Bielsa’s way is the only way, because it’s not.

“If it (last season) had ended in promotion, then yes it is, but they’re still working (on the right formula)."  

Leeds have dropped points on two occasions so far this season, drawing at home with Nottingham Forest in early August, before losing to Swansea City at Elland Road on the eve of the international break.

On both occasions, Leeds dominated the game and created enough chances to win. Failure to convert put the blame firmly on the shoulders of Bamford, who had started.

But, in the eyes of Prutton, there’s a collective responsibility to score goals. The Sky Sports pundit continued by noting what Nketiah’s introduction might do for Bamford.

“I know what it’s like with Patrick at the moment, if Leeds don’t win it’s like ‘how many chances did they have?’ It’s a team game, you win as a team and you lose as a team, there’s a collective responsibility.  

“If Nketiah comes in, he might bring something else out of Patrick, or he might take a little bit of the pressure off. He (Bamford) has a good game, scores a goal, then has another game and doesn’t score. There’s got to be an element of patience.

“It’s nice to take stock in wake of an international break, but more often than not, you’ll spread the goals around or you’ll get two men that get you 20+ goals each. That’d get you at least into the play-offs.  

“So, there’s a collective responsibility.”