In this Leeds United side, there are a handful of players you can rely on to deliver performances worthy of an 8/10 rating and others than can produce 6/10’s but also, 9’s and 10’s.
Joel Piroe and Brenden Aaronson can often go missing, but then produce magic. The first 20 minutes saw Aaronson shine, a dummy and some excellent runs in attack before becoming completely anonymous.
Piroe would have secured a 9 or 10 rating had he finished his two golden chances, but missed both and ultimately it meant he was well below his usual standard. But some Leeds players are consistently good.
Ao Tanaka, Pascal Struijk, Dan James, for example. Joe Rodon is another but on Sunday, he was unusually poor despite what Aidy White describes as a “brilliant” first half from the Welshman during the defeat.
Aidy White says Joe Rodon unusually “stand-offish” on Sunday
It still remains up for debate whether Rodon or Illan Meslier was to blame for Colby Bishop’s goal. Stuart Dallas said both were to blame but it was Meslier’s hesitation that convinced Bishop to shoot at goal.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds after the game, White says he was surprised at the difference in Rodon playing so well in the first half and then going downhill in the second half, as Leeds eventually lost.
“First half he was brilliant, was Joe Rodon. But he came out and for me, the way he ran off the back of him – that’s not like Joe Rodon that,” former Leeds player White said, who was in attendance at Fratton Park.
“A couple of occasions he looked like he was stand-offish. There’s got to be some accountability for him, he’s a leader, he’s really competitive, he’s performed really well but that second half was a dip.”
With Ethan Ampadu gone, Leeds desperately need Rodon form
Leeds’ form away from home was good with Ethan Ampadu in the side. Then, it slipped after his injury against Coventry and when he returned, Leeds were back to winning ways when on the road.
Ampadu has that bite, that aggression and that experience to know it is a scrap when playing away from Elland Road. Not many have the ability to provide a platform for the other Leeds players when away.
Rodon has it. When the Welshman dips, so do the rest of the team and that came to light on Sunday. If Leeds are to bounce back and get themselves into the Premier League, Rodon cannot afford to slip up.
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