After years of anguish and agony, Leeds are finally showing grit, resilience and determination to secure a Premier League return. The promotion-chasing Whites have surpassed expectations under Marcelo Bielsa, the iconic Argentine who is proving his expertise once more from the touchline. They had persistent injury problems and the lack of depth often forced the gaffer to bank on the academy starlets. Yet he has motivated them to grind out results and maintain their supremacy in the second tier.
The manager, meanwhile, must now be boosted by the return of a few first-team resources after long injury layoffs. Izzy Brown has made it to their matchday squads versus Middlesbrough and Swansea City whereas Barry Douglas, Adam Forshaw and Gaetano Berardi are also closing in on full fitness.
However, the recovery of Stuart Dallas must have relieved Bielsa the most due to the flexibility the Northern Irishman offers. The Elland Road chief has always preferred versatile individuals throughout his illustrious career and Dallas, despite not being as gifted as the majority of Leeds’ regulars, deserves a bit more recognition and acknowledgements from the supporters.
The 27-year-old missed out the previous 12 Championship outings after fracturing his foot followed by a setback. Before his injury, Dallas featured in both the fullback roles despite his preference of operating from a wide attacking slot. He has also been deployed as a midfield attacker, in the middle of the pitch as well as behind the centre-forward. Although the former Brentford man did not meet the expectations all the time; his commitment, professionalism and adaptability often helped the Whites to overcome the hurdles one after another.
“For Stuart Dallas, it was a little less hard for him to recover his sports fitness and he will be in the group on Saturday again.”
Bielsa was quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Sport who is considering the versatile star as an option against Bolton Wanderers this weekend.
The Leeds backline would be stable once Douglas returns to his usual left-back role. Dallas, however, could be utilised down the wings allowing veteran Pablo Hernandez to operate centrally alongside Mateusz Klich. The sudden illness of Jack Clarke has reduced options on the wide areas, particularly down the right flank with both Ezgjan Alioski and Jack Harrison having shown more composure on the other end of the pitch.
The season has entered in its final months, and the Whites must uplift their show to secure season objectives. Stuart Dallas would have a key role to play for in the remainder of fixtures and might prove to be instrumental for his tenacity and work ethics.
