Leeds’ Stuart Dallas concedes he wasn’t always good enough last season; suggests why this term is different

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Stuart Dallas endured a difficult campaign last season, but the Leeds United winger has started this term much more promisingly.

Stuart Dallas has admitted to BBC Radio Leeds that his form last season was often not good enough, but insisted having a full pre-season under his belt and signing a new contract at Leeds should ensure that he builds upon his promising start to the new campaign.

The 26-year-old’s form had been a real positive during the difficult 2015/16 season – when he scored five times and contributed six assists in the Championship – but unfortunately, his form last term appeared to be a lot more underwhelming.

He scored twice and contributed three assists and generally looked to be much less influential than he had been the previous year.

However, this season has seen Dallas – who has still been unable to hold down a regular spot – look much more dangerous going forward, and he has been rewarded with a new three-year contract, as reported by BBC Radio Leeds.

And he suggested that the new deal as well as the fact that he has been able to enjoy a full pre-season – Euro 2016 and his wedding saw him return to the team late 12 months ago – has allowed him to start rediscovering his best form.

“I struggled a lot of times last year and there were a number of reasons that I could use as an excuse but I’m not that type of player to blame it on something. From my point of view, it wasn’t good enough at times,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.

“I’ve just got a bit of confidence now which started at the end of last season and carried into the Azerbaijan game in June with Northern Ireland, I got a goal there and it’s given me a lot of confidence, I’ve had a full pre-season which is probably the main thing, it’s something that I haven’t had in recent seasons and I feel fitter than I’ve ever been and I’m just enjoying it.

“Now I’ve got my future sorted, it’s going to help me as well because it’s good to have that bit of security and happiness knowing where you’re going to be.”

With Dallas becoming the latest first-team player to sign a new deal this summer, it is hardly surprising that there appears to be such a good feeling around Elland Road at the moment.

There appears to be a desire to create a level of stability that there has not been at Leeds for a very long time, and perhaps therefore, it should be absolutely no surprise that Dallas has shown some much better form and the Whites have begun the new campaign much stronger than some may have expected.