National media reacts to Leeds United ace Joe Rodon’s display in Iceland v Wales – ‘will be disappointed’
Leeds United ace Joe Rodon “will be disappointed” that Wales dropped a two-goal lead in their 2-2 draw with Iceland despite a “solid” outing, as national media reacted to his performance.
The 26-year-old played the full 90 minutes for his country as The Dragons surrendered a healthy lead in the UEFA Nations League contest at the Laugardalsvollur on Friday (11 October).
Brennan Johnson and Harry Wilson ensured the visitors took the two-goal advantage into the break before Logi Thomasson pulled one back for Iceland and an own goal from Danny Ward salvaged a point for the hosts.
Y clwb Pel-droed [11 October] awarded Rodon a 6/10 rating, writing: “It’s hard to remember a time that Rodon has lost a header in a Wales shirt. He will be disappointed to drop the two goal lead but he was solid overall in the performance.”
WalesOnline [11 October] agreed with the rating, writing: “Nothing to really take too much issue with. Just didn’t quite have his usual influence at the back this time around.”
Leeds United will be relieved with Joe Rodon outing
Rodon may have felt disappointed with the result for Wales on Thursday, however Leeds will be relieved the defender made it through the 90 minutes unscathed in Reykjavik.
The centre-back is one of only two senior options at Elland Road with Ethan Ampadu, who can slot into the backline, out for an extended period. Max Wober is not expected to return to the first team frame until mid-November.
Ampadu is a huge loss to club and country and may not return to the pitch until the New Year, the Whites have had torrid luck on the injury front as of late, not just the volume of injuries but the length of time on the sidelines.
Daniel Farke will be less concerned about how his players perform throughout the international break and would rather club football resumes without further casualties to his Leeds squad.
Rodon has stepped up for Leeds and Wales in his teammate’s absence, and he will be expected to complete the full 90 minutes again when his nation hosts Montenegro on Monday [14 October] with the Welsh supporters requiring a more dominant performance more aligned with his usual standards.
The international break has been both a blessing and a curse for Leeds, on one hand, it gives the players a much-needed reset after the calamitous 3-3 draw with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, on the other hand, the workload and time management of the available players is out of the club’s hands.
Fingers crossed the Whites, who are representing their country return to West Yorkshire with no fresh fitness concerns.
In other Leeds United news, Angus Kinnear has made a new Leeds United PSR admission after the transfer deadline.
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