Daniel Farke reluctantly singles out Leeds United 'warrior' in Millwall triumph as new boy applauded - YEP 18/9/23
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke praised the battling performance of loan signing Joe Rodon following the Whites’ 3-0 win versus Millwall on Sunday afternoon.
By Joe Donnohue
Rodon contested and won more aerial duels than any other
player on the pitch as Leeds ran out eventual 3-0 winners at The Den. While the
scoreline painted Leeds in a favourable light, the three points Farke’s men
returned to West Yorkshire with was fully deserved, in part due to the
defensive performance.
Leeds weathered an early storm in each half, while
goalkeeper Illan Meslier pulled off three crucial saves during the contest. The
Frenchman was protected for the most part by a resolute back-line, spearheaded
by Welsh international Rodon who suffered a cut above his eyebrow towards the
end of the first half but saw out the full 90 minutes in south London.
"The whole team [were important],” Farke said in his
post-match press conference, reluctant to single out one individual in
particular. “I wouldn't speak too much about just one player because it was
also important that our offensive players did their job, they had pressure on
the build-up they also came back [to defend].
"Also our last row, 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 and that’s exactly what you need if you want to be successful at such
a tough place – I think he was excellent today."
Rodon returned from a successful international break with
Wales last week, recording back-to-back clean sheets against South Korea and
Latvia. The Whites have also registered consecutive clean sheets for the first
time since April 2022. Another shut-out in midweek against Hull City would be
the first time Leeds have kept three clean sheets in as many games since July
2020.
