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Stuart Dallas takes another step towards cult-hero status at Leeds
Leeds United fans tend to have a special place in their hearts for the utility players who have stepped up no matter where on the pitch they have been asked to play.
Paul Madeley famously played in every outfield position during his illustrious career, while Howard Wilkinson asked almost as much of Gary Speed during his time at Elland Road.
Meanwhile, Andy Hughes remains a cult-hero from his spell during the League One days. And it appears that Marcelo Bielsa is giving one of his players the chance to put themselves in the same category.
Leeds fans went into this season knowing that Bielsa liked Stuart Dallas’s versatility. The Northern Irishman joined the club as a winger – capable of playing on either flank – but did play at full-back during the Argentine’s first season at Elland Road.
He did not escape criticism during those times when he did play in defence. But Dallas has responded in sensational fashion this season.
The 28-year-old has been a revelation at right-back. It would be little surprise if a large section of the Leeds fanbase deemed Dallas to be their player of the season thus far.
Another new role for Dallas?
But it appears that Bielsa has plans to move Dallas for Leeds’s clash with Millwall this weekend. , Bielsa suggested that the former Brentford man could play in central midfield with Jamie Shackleton and Adam Forshaw injured.
Dallas moved into that role for the latter stages of Tuesday’s win against West Brom. But starting in midfield could feel like a completely different test if given the nod this weekend.
The fans, understandably, have their concerns. Forshaw was superb before he sustained his injury. And Shackleton’s absence in the second-half against the Baggies seemed to really hurt Leeds. Dallas meanwhile, has rarely played in a central role.
But given the way that Dallas stepped up at right-back this term, it would actually be no surprise if he proved to be an inspired selection in the middle of the park. And it is probably not going to be the last time that Bielsa surprises everyone with the position he uses Dallas in.
Of course, he has a lot of work to do before he is mentioned in the same conversations as Madeley and Speed.
But an impressive spell in another different position is certainly going to take him a little closer to being one of those players guaranteed cult-hero status long after his Leeds career has concluded.