Aidy White has lauded one Leeds United player for setting the tempo against Norwich City, insisting that he was the Whites’ man of the match in the play-off semi-final second-leg.
Leeds do indeed have a date with Wembley where they will meet either West Brom or Southampton for a place in the Premier League next season.
In truth, Leeds blew Norwich away, going 3-0 up in the first-half, before cruising after the break, with Crysencio Summerville rounding off the scoring.
Leeds were not only superb going forward, but they were rock solid at the back, with a mistake from Ethan Ampadu giving Norwich their only genuine chance of the game.
Joe Rodon set the tone with ‘fantastic’ display in Leeds win
And once again, Joe Rodon was absolutely superb alongside Ampadu. The Welshman was handed what could have been a tough task up against Josh Sargent and Ashley Barnes. But Rodon looked every bit the Premier League player Tottenham spent £11 million on.
And speaking to BBC Radio Leeds (broadcast on 16/5; 22:00), Aidy White suggested that the Welshman was the standout performer on an amazing night for Leeds.
“One big shoutout I think to Joe Rodon, he set the tempo for the game there. He was a stonewall throughout and he was a fantastic player, probably my man of the match tonight,” he said.
Leeds’ summer priority could not be clearer
Leeds fans probably did not need another reminder of how important it is that Rodon stays beyond this season. The Whites knew from their previous stint in the Premier League how difficult it was to find good centre-backs.
Rodon is still somewhat unproven at the highest level, so there will be a question mark over him if Leeds do manage to go up.
But the way Rodon and Ampadu have played for the large majority of the season has been magnificent, and they stepped up again in Leeds’ biggest game of the campaign yet.