Leeds United’s Northern Ireland winger is set to play at right-back against Bristol City.
Leeds United’s Stuart Dallas
Leeds United take on Bristol City this weekend and still have some players missing from the defensive line-up. Once again it could mean Leeds opting to play Northern Ireland winger Stuart Dallas at right-back once again.
It is a positional swap that has some at Bristol City licking their lips and their assistant manager picked him out in an interview this week. Jamie McAllister was quoted by the Bristol City website as stating:
“It’s 11v11 on the pitch; who turns up and who makes fewer errors…we are confident our group can cause them problems.
“(Stuart) Dallas could play right-back for them, who is not a natural full-back, so they have a change there but they have signed good players in the transfer window and they have quality across their team.”
Cardiff defender Lee Peltier (l) challenges Stuart Dallas of Leeds
Dallas playing at right-back might indeed be an issue for Leeds, but the Leeds manager Paul Heckingbottom was quick to get his player’s back.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of the game at Thorp Arch today the new Leeds manager highlighted that many of the world’s best full-backs, did in fact start off on the wing:
“Yes I do. Some of the best full backs start out as wide players.”
There are certainly a few names that immediately spring to mind. Antonio Valencia has proved a brilliant defender since being pushed back at Manchester United. Jordi Alba was once a flying winger before becoming one of the best left-backs of a generation. David Alaba, Cesar Azpilicueta, Patrice Evra, Danny Rose – the list goes on.
Jordi Alba of FC Barcelona
Bristol City have converted one of their own, Joe Bryan is a star for the club at left-back.
Dallas has all the attributes to be a good full-back, even if it is not his best position.
He seems to have the vote of confidence from his manager and will be hoping to prove Bristol City wrong this weekend.
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