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Phil Hay wowed by Joe Rodon transfer at Leeds United after win v Millwall
Phil Hay has praised Joe Rodon for how he has started his career at Leeds United after the centre-back was crucial in the 3-0 win over Millwall.
Despite receiving a nasty blow to the head that left the Welsh international with a cut above the eyebrow, he managed to play on and help Daniel Farke’s side to another three points and a second consecutive clean sheet.
Given the huge turnover of players both in and out of Elland Road this summer, the signing of the 25-year-old defender slightly slipped under the radar, being overshadowed by the high-profile entrances of Glen Kamara and Joel Piroe.
Speaking on The Square Ball Podcast on Monday (18 September) he said: “Rodon I think has had a really good start at Leeds. I think again it looks like a very strong, steady signing at centre-back.
“It cannot be a bad thing that you’re suddenly two clean sheets on the bounce given Leeds have seemed to abandon the concept of clean sheets completely for the last two to three years.”
Strong and steady
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If you were going to describe Leeds United’s defending over the last few years you’d probably use words weak and chaotic as opposed to strong and steady, but Rodon seemingly has broken that trend and offered genuine assuredness at the back so far.
In the Premier League last season, Illan Meslier only managed to keep five clean sheets, after only six games of the season he’s already managed two and both of those have come in matches where Rodon has played in front of him.
There will always be the argument that the task in the Championship is a fair bit easier than it was in the Premier League, but the Welshman is providing a consistent base, alongside Pascal Struijk for the attacking talent at Elland Road to flourish.
Should Leeds be able to continue to keep clean sheets, they will no longer be required to score two or three goals to win matches and the pressure on the forward players will be eased. Finally solving the defensive problem that has hampered the Whites recently may well also bring the best out of their forwards.
While Ethan Ampadu and Piroe have been excellent since making the switch to Farke’s side, Rodon has quietly gone about his business in defence and been every bit as important as any other addition at Elland Road this summer.
In other Leeds United news, David Prutton has predicted the result of the Whites’ clash with Hull City