Lots of Leeds United fans have been lauding Stuart Dallas on social media, after LUFC Data echoed InStat Football figures highlighting the defender’s “excellent” output at home to Bristol City on Saturday.
Boss Marcelo Bielsa named the 28-year-old as his starting left-back at home to the Robins, opting to stick with Dallas for the role following his performance away to Brentford last Tuesday night.
It was the eighth instance this term across all competitions that Bielsa has tasked Dallas with playing as his left-sided full-back, knowing that the Northern Ireland international is a vastly versatile option from his numerous appearances at right-back and in midfield.
Some fans now feel that Bielsa ought to stick with the Cookstown-born ace at left-back going forward, having displayed enough at home to Bristol City on Saturday to firmly move ahead of Ezgjan Alioski and Barry Douglas in the boss’ pecking order.
That’s because Dallas registered the highest successful percentage of total match actions by any outfield United player over the weekend, having been effective with 88% of all incidents contended and/or attempted against the Robins.
Who is Bielsa's best left-back right now?
Dallas
Alioski
Douglas
Davies
Dallas helped dominate the left-hand channel at Elland Road in support of wide midfielder Jack Harrison, with the 43-cap international taking 90 touches, recording 51 accurate passes (86%), one clearance, one interception and two successful tackles, per Sofa Score data, while creating one big chance to score, taking three shots, winning five of ten ground duels and one of two aerial duels.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Dallas registering the highest successful percentage of total match actions by any outfield United player against Bristol City on Saturday…
He looks unbelievably productive at full back. Him and Ayling feel like our most valuable players at the moment, the amount of times they break up play and push forward is mad – it’s like having two more midfielders!
— Mark (@m_butch88) February 16, 2020
Immense 👏
— Becca Richardson 💙💛 (@BeccaRi41043767) February 16, 2020
Excellent at either left or right back plus Cooper looks far more comfortable knowing he’s got Dallas there not Allioski
— optimisticleedsfan (@nivekmulla1965) February 16, 2020
Simply the most improved player under Bielsa. One of the first names on the team sheet.
— Paul B (@paulbowler60) February 16, 2020
Keep him at left back please. Everything was top class. Attacking, defending and linking up with Harrison.
— Hesslebine (@hesslebine) February 16, 2020
Could’ve / should’ve hit the scoresheet too yesterday
— leedsnewsunited (@leedsnewsunited) February 16, 2020
Stuart has been very consistent all season, particularly at full back.
— David Lynn (@d_c_lynn) February 16, 2020
Looks a lot more comfortable at left back than in the middle of midfield because he can still bomb up and down that left hand side like a winger anyway, lack of goals will always worry me that’s my biggest fear at the minute
— Robert James (@Robertkas86) February 16, 2020
Second best player of the season behind Phillips. Cookstown Cafu indeed.
— SirMontgomery (@SirMontgomery1) February 16, 2020
That position is his now, him and Harrison ran that side of the pitch.
— Chris Neal (@cgsneal) February 16, 2020
In other Leeds United news, fans have been tearing into a 5 ft 10 Whites man for his performance on Saturday despite initial praise for his display.