'I came here to play every minute'
Nobody has had more minutes on the pitch this season for Leeds United than defender Joe Rodon. The Wales international has started every one of the club's 35 league games after which they sit top of the Championship. He is a warrior, often battered and bruised, but always there for his team-mates."I feel good to be fair," he told BBC Radio Leeds. "I think having the experience last season opened my eyes to the whole schedule with the league. "It's crazy as everyone knows, but every player wants to play every minute and this is what I came here to do. I'm enjoying every minute of it."Rodon, 27, plays with his heart on his sleeve and goes where others may fear to tread. "This season I've had more head knocks than I'd like," he said. "I try not to, to be honest. It does hurt. But if it happens, It happens. I guess that's part of the game I'm just used to it now."It's that attitude which sees him drive the side on from the back with his marauding runs and towering headers. But also with his vocal presence."I'm normally quite loud on the pitch anyway just in communicating with the team in order to try and help - to make other people's jobs easier," he added.Rodon is not afraid to hold his team-mates to account on the pitch if things are not quite right. It's a trait that has somewhat dissipated from the modern game. "The boss can get on to me about this, to always be positive," he said."I'm a really competitive person. So I think frustration and emotion creeps into that. I think it's the same for a lot of players, but yeah, I'm just really, really competitive. I'm a competitive problem. "I don't mean that in a negative way. It's more of a kind of a pick me up to work harder and do more." With his captain and compatriot Ethan Ampadu (knee) out for the foreseeable future does Rodon feel more of a responsibility to step up? "I always try to take the lead and lift it more, to help and to bring my say to it," he said."So I guess without Ethan's presence there's a bit of that. "There are a lot of other leaders in this dressing room, especially people like Junior (Firpo) as well who can benefit and lead the team. "I just love talking on the pitch to be honest, I just can't help it."Don't ever change Joe! Communication is key to success. Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00 GMT, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds
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