Leeds United got back to winning ways as they registered a crucial 1-0 win over their promotion rivals West Bromwich Albion. One player who managed to catch the eye was Stuart Dallas who had a terrific game at right-back. Dallas is a winger by trade, but Bielsa has used him as a fullback on numerous occasions.
Dallas has started so far in every game in the Championship primarily because of an injury to their regular right-back Luke Ayling. The Northern Irish international was recently praised heavily by former Leeds United striker and BBC commentator Noel Whelan.
Whelan on Dallas’ performance this season
Speaking to Football Insider, he said, ”Stuart Dallas has been absolutely outstanding this season. His energy levels, fitness, creativity, his one-on-one defending, have all massively improved. He is becoming very much the modern full-back, good on the overlap and spending lots of time in the opposition half.
His defending has come on leaps and bounds, and to help keep a clean sheet against West Brom is huge. He’s been the big surprise, really. Dallas looks more confident and far more effective than he did when he was just an attacking player. He’s not going to be losing his place any time soon.”
The 28-year-old featured as a makeshift fullback last season, but there were games he was found out defensively given that he is not a natural fullback by trade. Whelan is spot on with his assessment that Dallas’ defensive side of the game has improved leaps and bounds.
His energy and willingness to make runs from the right is also a significant asset for Bielsa. The Northern Ireland international has hardly looked back from the game against Derby County last season in the second leg of the playoffs. United might have lost that tie, but Dallas was simply outstanding, and he has carried on the excellent work this season as well.
Will Ayling regain his place?
Regular fullback Luke Ayling recently came back from a five-month injury lay off, and he played the last 15 minutes against the Baggies. Ayling has also signed a new long term deal with the Whites, so that indicates how firmly he is in the club’s plans. However, with Dallas’ current form, Ayling might find it hard to regain his place back in the starting eleven.
It could turn out to be a positive development for the Whites as they will have healthy competition at right-back. Moreover, Liam Cooper got injured recently, and Bielsa has used Ayling in the centre back role in the past. Therefore he might get a chance there with Dallas filling in as the right-back.
