Graham Smyth gushes over Joe Rothwell after what he did for Leeds United v Derby
Graham Smyth was left in awe of Joe Rothwell after he put in a “beauty” of a sliding challenge for Leeds United against Derby County.
The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist took to X (7 December) in United’s 2-0 win on Saturday, after the 29-year-old put in back-to-back sliding challenges with the game still goalless.
Rothwell’s efforts earned comparisons to captain Ethan Ampadu, who has been out since September with a knee injury but was named on the bench against Derby as he continues his recovery.
Smyth said: “Rothwell with two big sliding challenges in a row – the first a beauty.
“The second pinged for a foul, which is soft. Ampadwho?”
Joe Rothwell continues to impress for Leeds United v Derby County
In the early weeks of the season – when Daniel Farke had a full midfield complement to pick from – Rothwell was some distance down the pecking order at Elland Road, and effectively fourth-choice.
However, respective injuries to Ampadu and Ilia Gruev in back-to-back matches resulted in Rothwell and the metronomic Ao Tanaka becoming first-choice picks in the engine room, with fantastic results.
While Japanese international Tanaka has earned major plaudits for his displays since arriving from Fortuna Dusseldorf, Rothwell has instead gone under the radar as arguably Farke’s chief string-puller.
Tanaka’s passing range and high tackle success rate have made Ampadu’s absence hardly noticeable, but Rothwell’s driving runs from deep have offered something none of the aforementioned trio can provide.
Rothwell embodying the spirit of Ampadu with “beauty” slide-tackles adds just another string to the on-loan Bournemouth man’s bow, and his place in the side looks secure for some time to come.
In other Leeds news, Stuart Dallas praised the redemption of one player at Elland Road after what he did against Derby County.
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