Whelan makes ‘absolutely massive’ Rodrigo claim after confirmed Leeds news
Noel Whelan has last week’s goal against Wolves will have given Rodrigo Moreno a “massive” confidence boost at Leeds United.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the Leeds ambasador admitted he “can’t express” how important that strike could be for the Spain international.
The 30-year-old broke his duck for the season from the penalty spot last weekend.
Teenage starlet Joe Gelhardt won the penalty for Rodrigo to dispatch.
The Spaniard has led the line for Leeds recently in the absence of the injured Patrick Bamford.
As confirmed on Friday (29th October), the England international will sit out Sunday’s trip to Norwich City.
With Rodrigo set to lead the line once again, Whelan admitted last week’s penalty is exactly what the hitman needed.
Asked how big a boost the goal against Wolves would be for Rodrigo, Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Absolutely massive. I think he should be shaking Gelhardt’s hand because this is exactly what he needed.
“A striker that’s not high in confidence, a striker that needed a goal from anywhere: a deflection, off his knee or a set-piece like a penalty.
“Just to get him up and running and get that belief back into his game and get the goal you need to start your season off.
“I can’t express how important it is to strikers. You could see him during the nice parts which is laying off, doing that link up play at times.
“But it’s goals that you need as a striker, when you’re playing as a number nin. That is what you’re judged on, that is what is important – that you’re getting on the scoresheet.
“I’ve got to say, in a very high-pressure situation there, his composure was fantastic. He finished it really, really well.
“So I’m hoping now that is the start of things to come, that he will now go on a bit of a goal run starting on Sunday against Norwich.
“Now he’s got the goal, he’s got that monkey off his back. It might free up his game a little bit. Allow him to be a little bit more adventurous and be a bit braver in front of goal.”
In other news, ex-manager raises Leeds United relegation fears after Bielsa’s Diego Llorente confession.