World Cup Qualifiers: Records and goals – How Wales’ Joe Rodon found his home at Leeds United

While trying to calm anxiety after the defeat to Nottingham Forest, manager Daniel Farke admitted that Leeds United fans could be described as “emotional”.

This could go a long way to explaining why Joe Rodon gets along so well with them.

The Wales defender doesn’t just wear his heart on his sleeve, he displays it on his face.

You didn’t have to be an expert in body language to see the frustration felt by the 28-year-old at the City Ground, where Leeds managed to concede three goals for the second week in a row.

Nor what it means to be a Premier League match-winner after his first league goals last month.

As John Newsome, the former title-winning Leeds centre-back, said: “He’s never going to be a very good poker player.”

But Rodon has become a star of the bunch at Elland Road, where his fan favorite status goes beyond just showing what it means.

And you don’t engage in nearly a century of consecutive top-flight appearances – remembered alongside Norman Hunter as a result – for pure passion alone.

Instead, Rodon explains why he is tipped for the top spot after his brilliance for Swansea, and what Wales fans heading to Liechtenstein this weekend have known for some time.

“He has all the qualities that qualify him to belong in the Premier League,” coach Craig Bellamy said. “When we were at Burnley [in the Championship]We wanted to include him. We felt he was a high level player.

“What we see now is this player.”