Leeds United ace Stuart Dallas has ‘no idea’ – Andy Hinchcliffe
Leeds United were under pressure early against Crystal Palace and the Whites defence was struggling to cope with the Eagles’ onslaught.
15 minutes into the game, a long ball over the top inexplicably caught experienced left-back Stuart Dallas out and Ghanian international Jordan Ayew burst in behind him.
The Northern Irishman couldn’t retreat in time to block the cross which was very nearly turned in by Jean-Philippe Mateta at the back post but a vital touch from Illan Meslier prevented such a thing from happening.
Sky Sports commentator Andy Hinchcliffe was bewildered at Dallas’ defending, claiming he was ball-watching rather than paying attention to the man assigned to him.
“Stuart Dallas gets badly caught out here,” Hinchcliffe said on Sky Sports commentary (25 April, 8:15 pm). “He’s watching the ball and he has no idea where Ayew is.
“It’s a simple run in behind and it’s onside.”
Not a defender
Sometimes needs must when you’ve had as many injuries as Leeds United have this season but well everybody is fit, Dallas can be nowhere near the starting left-back.
He’s brilliant in midfield and his never-ending sack of energy helps to keep the Whites on the front foot late on in games when the tired legs start to kick in.
But when he’s tasked with an intelligent and pacey winger to deal with, he really struggles and Ayew isn’t even among the Premier League’s best either.
It’s scary to think how badly he would be exposed by someone like Mohamed Salah or Riyad Mahrez at their best but thankfully we don’t need to worry about that for now.
Jesse Marsch has to hope that Junior Firpo recovers to full fitness soon so he can slot back into his natural position and Dallas can finally relax back into the midfield along with Kalvin Phillips, where he is at his best.
In other Leeds United news, Under-23s boss Andy Taylor has been waxing lyrical about one of the Whites’ newest arrivals.