'Rodon at heart of rejuvenated defence'
Adonis Storr, The Roaring Peacock
On Friday, Leeds United secured their sixth clean sheet of the campaign - not bad for a team that conceded more than 150 goals in the previous two seasons.
At the heart of that rejuvenated defence is Tottenham Hotspur loanee Joe Rodon.
Rodon does not seem to come with the baggage Leeds' recent centre-backs have carried. The Welshman eschews the pantomime theatrics of Pontus Jansson and does not have the errors that haunt Liam Cooper. Not since Ben White have Leeds looked so solid in defence.
But what has defined Rodon's season so far is his organisational nous and his fighting spirit. Rodon has the vision to anticipate danger and the courage to fly into tackles and blocks. He emerges from these battles victorious more often than not, with a characteristic grimace on his face.
And Rodon has made those around him better. Illan Meslier and Pascal Struijk look far more comfortable this season by his side.
The mistake Leeds made with White was not having the funds to pay over the odds to make his loan permanent. They should avoid the same mistake.
Should Rodon be available on a permanent transfer, 1 January will not be soon enough to complete the deal.
