Crystal
Palace finally saw off Shrewsbury 4-1 after extra-time of their Capital One
Cup second-round clash but Patrick Bamford was not among the scorers on his
first start since his loan move from Stamford Bridge. Can he make it at
Chelsea? Adam Bate reports from Selhurst Park…
It's been a quiet introduction to Premier League life for Patrick Bamford.
An unused substitute in Crystal Palace's victories over Norwich and Aston
Villa, the Chelsea forward's only league action of his loan spell so far
came in a 10-minute run-out against Arsenal. So Tuesday night's Capital One
Cup clash with Shrewsbury was a significant opportunity for the 21-year-old
to state his case.
Partnering Dwight Gayle in attack for the Eagles, it was Bamford who,
despite his 6' 3" frame, took the deeper role of the two men. The search for
space against a combative League One side was challenging for the striker
and it proved a difficult 74 minutes. While admitting that Gayle was not the
ideal foil for Bamford, Palace boss Alan Pardew acknowledged as much in his
post-match press conference.
I felt a little bit sorry for him tonight because he wasn't at his best.
In truth, the evening was not without its difficulties for Pardew's Palace
as well as Bamford. But that deeper position proved particularly problematic
for the new man in the early stages when he dangled a leg out that Ryan
Woods glided past with ease, sparking the sweeping move from which Matt
Tootle drilled home the opening goal of the game for the visitors.
At the other end of the pitch, Bamford's aerial abilities were tested to the
full against the considerable frame of Jermaine Grandison. On a number of
occasions, he found himself outmuscled by the centre-back. But there were
moments of encouragement too, not least Bamford's role in Palace finding a
first-half equaliser.
There had already been one neat lay-off that almost resulted in Lee
Chung-yong getting through on goal and when Wilfried Zaha looked for a
one-two soon after, Bamford's measured return pass found its target. Zaha
took the ball in his stride but was subsequently bundled over and Gayle duly
tucked away the resultant penalty.
This was what Bamford can offer, with those oft-whispered shades of Teddy
Sheringham in his ability to see the picture of what's around him before
others. But having scored 43 goals in 79 league starts to date, it's in
front of goal that he will surely be judged. And this was not a night that
showcased that finishing pedigree.
An early effort was skewed well wide while leaning back but the best chance
was spurned when a long ball fell kindly only for him to spoon his shot over
the crossbar with an unconvincing swing of that weaker right foot. An
optimistic overhead kick minutes before receiving a warm ovation upon his
withdrawal was as close as Bamford came to a goal.
There is a suspicion that Bamford is bright enough to know it will need
rather more than that if he is to trouble the team-sheet at Stamford Bridge.
"I have to believe, because if I didn't there would be no point in doing all
of this," he told The Guardian earlier this month. In that same interview,
Bamford suggested that Pardew has told him he is the manager to prepare him
for Jose Mourinho's team.
First, of course, he must get into Pardew's. And the identity of – and loud
cheers for - his replacement on Tuesday night, offered a reminder that even
this is going to be no easy task. Palace's talismanic striker Glenn Murray
has started both of their Premier League wins so far and helped turn this
game around too – scoring what turned out to be the decisive goal from the
spot in extra-time.
"In my head I think I know I can play at this level," said Bamford of the
Premier League season ahead of him with Crystal Palace. "It's just a case of
waiting for my chance and then getting myself into it as fast as I can. The
manager said to me I'll get my crack at No 9, and when I get it, it's up to
me to keep it."
With Palace facing Bamford's parent club Chelsea at the weekend, the
immediate opportunity for him to do just that will be denied him. The next
targets are a home game with Manchester City and a short trip to Tottenham.
Bamford can see Stamford Bridge from his west London apartment. But getting
to play there in a Chelsea shirt continues to look a daunting ambition for
this talented player.
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