This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets…
Leeds United’s very own Mr Versatile was asked to play in another different position on Tuesday evening as he moved back into the defence after spending three weeks playing in the midfield.
Indeed, Stuart Dallas moved back to left-back against Hull, and he was given a bit of a baptism of fire as he was tasked with stopping one of the league’s most dangerous wingers.
The Northern Irishman was facing a tough evening as he was set to clash with the Championship’s second top-scorer Jarrod Bowen, but the 28-year-old wasn’t fazed as he stepped up to the plate in brilliant fashion.
The stats indicate just how well Dallas performed against the Tigers, while also showing how he adapted his usual style of play in order to deal with Hull’s talisman.
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His six tackles was the highest tally of any player on the pitch, and with Bowen successfully completing 2.1 dribbles per game this season it was always going to be vital for him to time his tackles expertly, and he did exactly that.
It wasn’t only his tackling that was excellent though, he blocked two shots on goal while also cutting off some of the supply Hull were looking to provide Bowen with as he made two interceptions.
The Northern Irishman’s ability to keep the 14-goal ace at bay may have been down to how he adapted his playstyle as well.
Dallas didn’t go forward as often as he usually does while playing at the back as he didn’t take a single shot, despite taking 1.5 shots per game this season when playing as a left-back or a right-back.
All in all, it was a masterful performance from a player who is proving himself to be a vital cog in Bielsa’s system on a weekly basis.
Meanwhile, Leeds fans have been praising one man after their win against Hull.
