MOT View: Stats from Reading win prove Leeds ace back to his best ahead of Boro clash
Leeds United defender Stuart Dallas appears to have come out of a tough period in the Championship and is back to his best for the Whites.
The Northern Ireland international has been at his best at full-back under Marcelo Bielsa this season, but was pushed into the middle of the park and struggled with those demands in a tough run.
Dallas was influential in the 1-0 win against Reading and seemed to be everywhere, involved in most significant passing moves Leeds strung together.
According to the stats collected by LUFC DATA on their personal Twitter account through the week, Dallas made 105 successful match actions – the most on the pitch, and 40 more than Reading’s best.
Dallas was also involved in the top four passing combinations on the pitch with Pablo Hernandez, Luke Ayling, and Mateusz Klich.
That was more than he was averaging in midfield and highlights how effective he can be when back in his best position of full-back for the Whites.
Leeds are one of the best sides, if not the best in the Championship at utilising the left and right corridors on the pitch. Having players such as Liam Cooper, Ben White, and Kalvin Phillips means that possession can be switched with one long ball – such an effective weapon for the Whites.
Left-back has generally caused Bielsa many headaches during his stint at Elland Road. The Argentine has been left scratching his head for options on multiple occasions, with Ezgjan Alioski or Barry Douglas not being able to cement their spot down to form or injuries.
Having Dallas available for the last 12 games could be critical for the Whites, as it also sures up their defence – the consecutive clean-sheets evidence of that.
The 28-year-old has a great influence going forward from defence, averaging 1.7 shots on goal per game according to WhoScored – only five players attempt more.
Dallas was back to his best against Reading, and on that form, Leeds could have a secret weapon down the left-hand side in this promotion push.
In other Leeds United news, Bielsa has delivered a double fitness update ahead of the trip to Middlesbrough on Wednesday