By Dan Carter

18th Sep, 2023 | 10:40am

Daniel Farke wowed by warrior Joe Rodon in Leeds United win over Millwall

Daniel Farke praised Joe Rodon’s “warrior mentality” after the defender impressed for Leeds United against Millwall despite an early injury.

The Welsh international suffered a cut above his eyebrow just before half-time after a clash of heads, but after receiving lengthy treatment he returned to the field and managed to play the full 90 minutes as the Whites ran out 3-0 winners.

Against a physical Millwall side, Rodon had his work cut out for him and was made to contest 15 aerial duels despite his earlier injury, winning nine of them and earning praise from Farke despite the German’s reluctance to single out individuals.

Speaking following the game, as quoted by Yorkshire Evening Post (18 September) he said: “I wouldn’t speak too much about just one player because it was also important that our offensive players did their job.

“Joe [Rodon] belongs to our last row, he had to be there with many clearances, was an aerial threat, even with a little cut under his eyebrow, he was willing to go [on], so he showed warrior mentality.

“That’s exactly what you need if you want to be successful at such a tough place – I think he was excellent today.”

Warrior

Rodon was looking to get his career back on track with his loan switch to Elland Road after a difficult spell since joining Tottenham Hotspur from Swansea and although it is still early in the season he looks to have started well back in the Championship.

With Liam Cooper out with injury, Farke has needed the defender to step up probably sooner than was originally expected but he has shown that he is more than capable of being the sort of committed defender a team chasing promotion will need.

Given he’s only 25 and hasn’t played loads of football in recent seasons, there will still be the occasional bit of rustiness on show or the odd mistake here or there, but you’ll never be able to doubt that he will throw himself into every challenge with everything he has.

Farke made a big point in the summer about wanting players who wanted to succeed at Elland Road rather than keeping players who didn’t want to be at Leeds. Rodon is someone that wants to be successful while he’s playing in White and while he may not be the perfect defender, he’ll always give his all.

In other Leeds United news, Farke has revealed there was big-name interest in Georginio Rutter this summer