Alex Bruce blown away by Leeds 28-year-old who is 'first name on the team sheet'

Alex Bruce has been blown away by the performances of Leeds United defender Stuart Dallas, claiming he is one of the first names on the teamsheet under Marcelo Bielsa.

The Northern Ireland international has started every single Championship game this season, and Bruce admitted that the 28-year-old is loved by everyone in the dressing room at Elland Road.

Bruce claimed that Dallas delivers the consistency that is needed from players within squads that go on to earn promotion to the Premier League.

"I look back at teams I’ve played in over the years, he’s one of those lads who he’s the first name on the team sheet because you know what you’re going to get out of him," he told Football Insider.

"He’s a consistent performer, does exactly what it says on the tin, he’s one of them that goes under the radar but he’s really appreciated by his teammates because when you’re in the Championship, you need those steady-eddies who are going to give you seven out of tens every week and he’s one of them."

Dallas was superb against Bristol, and fully backed up all of the claims made by Bruce by being a thorn in the side of the Robins all afternoon on Saturday.

The 28-year-old was effective in each third of the pitch, but the fact he was impressive going forward highlights just how dominant Leeds were at Elland Road.

Dallas had three shots on goal and took 91 touches - stats that saw him also complete 14 successful passes in the final third according to LUFC DATA.

The full-back also made two tackles and a couple of interceptions as he kept the dangerous Niclas Eliasson quiet in West Yorkshire - a very important job.

Dallas was back in his preferred left-back role and Marcelo Bielsa has reaped the rewards of returning to basics in the 1-0 victory on Saturday.

In other Leeds United news, Lee Johnson was left raging over this 'unbelievably bad' decision in the defeat