Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu has praised Joe Rodon for his influential role behind the scenes at the club following their return to the Premier League.
Joe Rodon has been in impressive form for Leeds so far this season, marshalling his side from the heart of defence.
However, Rodon has added a newfound goal-scoring threat to his game, forming a deadly partnership with Sean Longstaff, who has a happy knack of finding Rodon from dead balls.
Rodon will be keen to end Leeds’ worrying run of form away from home as they prepare to face Nottingham Forest, with the Whites having conceded 12 goals in five away games so far this season.
Ahead of the game, Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu has praised the influence of his teammate, explaining that the pair employ a good cop, bad cop routine to keep the dressing room in check.
Joe Rodon in action for Leeds during a Premier League clash against Everton
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Ethan Ampadu praises the influence of Joe Rodon at Leeds United
Speaking to BBC West Yorkshire Sport ahead of the game against Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest, Ampadu praised Rodon for constantly driving up standards in the Leeds dressing room
According to Ampadu, finding a way to lift the spirits of the Leeds squad after a defeat is key, and Rodon plays an important part in doing that.
Ampadu said: “Me and Joe are like a good cop, bad cop thing. If you were to ask anyone, me and him are probably complete polar opposites.
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“He’s quiet, I’m loud. The biggest challenge is just, I think I’m lucky with the squad that we have. I know Joe said to me about driving the standards and making sure that if there’s maybe a bad result or a result that we didn’t want, to make sure that the next day we go again.
“Not to let it, like a dark cloud, come over us and to make sure that we’re focused on our task and driving the standards, which is what our baseline is.
“But I say I’m lucky with this squad in terms of the fact that everyone, we’re all on the same page, and everyone’s willing to put in the work. We’re on the same page and same goal in order to achieve that.”
Joe Rodon celebrates for Leeds United
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
Joe Rodon can be Leeds’ secret weapon against Nottingham Forest
Rodon remains Leeds’ joint top scorer this season with two goals, having added a new dimension to his game under head coach Daniel Farke.
The Opta stats from the Premier League season to date show that Rodon can be Leeds’ secret weapon as they look to win a top-flight game at Forest for the first time since Don Revie was in charge.
Nottingham Forest’s record defending headers:
Headers faced: 27th (5th most in PL)
Goals Conceded from Headers: 5 (=2nd in PL)
By conceding five goals from headers this season, Forest have conceded the equal second-most headed goals in the Premier League, behind only West Ham and level with Manchester United. By contrast, Leeds have conceded three.
With three goals scored from headers, Leeds are joint-sixth for the most headers scored this season, two of which were scored by Rodon. If Leeds can get their delivery right, they could enjoy some success at the City Ground.