If asked for Leeds United’s best player this season, most fans would answer Joe Rodon. The centre-back has been the best of a bad bunch so far, yet Welsh media were not impressed on Tuesday night.
Having beaten Liechtenstein last week, Wales required a win against a North Macedonia side missing Gjanni Alioski. They got just that and then some, smashing North Macedonia in Cardiff to win 7-1.
Dan James netted his first goal of the season on Tuesday night, tapping home Wales’ fourth after a gorgeous assist from Harry Wilson. Leeds transfer target Wilson scored a hat-trick for Wales as captain.
An immense win for Craig Bellamy’s side, who have secured a World Cup play-off place with the victory. But it wasn’t all positive for Leeds’ trio involved, with Karl Darlow slipping for North Macedonia’s goal.
Joe Rodon earns criticism from Welsh media despite 7-1 win
One of the 49ers’ new Rangers signings, Bojan Miovski, scored North Macedonia’s only goal of the night, pegging Wales back to 2-1 in the first half. Darlow’s slip was crucial, but Joe Rodon was caught napping.
A simple ball through the middle of the pitch caught Rodon ball-watching, and Miovski raced through to score. Clwb Pel Droed gave Rodon a rating of 7/10, but said he was unusually poor and made mistakes.
“Some uncharacteristically sloppy moments from the Leeds United man defensively, but was composed on the ball and had a much-needed commanding presence at the back,” they said, on Rodon’s display.
What was said about Dan James and Karl Darlow on Tuesday
Darlow, who has returned to the bench at Leeds since the return of Lucas Perri from injury, started in goal again for Wales last night but his slip was unfortunate. Poorly timed, allowing Miovski an easy finish.
Clwb Pel Droed gave Darlow a 6/10: “An unfortunate moment at the crucial moment, allowing the visitors to score, but was overall a quiet night. He didn’t have a lot to do, was solid with his distribution.”
Meanwhile, James got an 8/10: “Another attacker that shined for Cymru with his blistering pace causing plenty of issues for the North Macedonia defence, all but sealing victory with the fourth goal.”
Wilson will get the plaudits, and while it is surely just a one-off for Rodon, this was easily Wales’ best display under Craig Bellamy. Even with Ethan Ampadu suspended after his yellow against Liechtenstein.
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