Not many would have had Joe Rodon as being the man to break the deadlock on Saturday afternoon, given the Wales defender had failed to score for Leeds United since joining on loan in 2023.
In fact, Rodon had not scored at professional level in English football, let alone his previous 68 matches in a Leeds shirt. The defender had not scored in 158 games for Leeds, Tottenham, Swansea and Cheltenham.
But on Saturday, he rose highest to nod Joe Rothwell’s inch-perfect corner into the back of the net. The delight was clear on his face, a weight lifted from his shoulders as he netted his second goal for a club.
The first, coming on loan at Rennes. Rodon’s goal for Leeds was followed by another first goal for The Whites for Max Wober, as the left-footed defender slammed home a second with his weaker right foot.
Rodon posts on Instagram after scoring in Leeds win v Derby
So, 69th game in and Rodon nets for Leeds. Hopefully for Daniel Farke and Leeds, the German gaffer will not be waiting as long for his second given the nature of the opponents to implement a low block.
Set-pieces are crucial and while Pascal Struijk regularly scores, Rodon does not. That needs to change if Leeds are to go and secure automatic promotion. Rodon posted on Instagram: “On to the next.”
Sam Byram, Junior Firpo and Joel Piroe tease Leeds’ Joe Rodon
The delight on his teammates’ faces was clear as day. Leeds players were overjoyed to see Rodon finally get off the mark and that is the exact word Struijk commented on Rodon’s Instagram post on Saturday.
Rodon admitted after the game it has been “very frustrating” not to have scored more. Byram and Firpo have also commented on Rodon’s Instagram post, with Byram even describing Rodon as “50p head”.
The win sees Leeds return to the top of the Championship table ahead of Sheffield United’s trip to West Brom on Sunday. Carlos Corberan might be able to do his old side Leeds a favour at The Hawthorns.
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