Leeds United’s Stuart Dallas has shot down critics who suggest that the Whites could collapse in their hunt for promotion to the Premier League this season.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men were dealt a heavy blow in their hopes of finishing in the top two this season in their last game, losing 1-0 to Sheffield United in a result which saw the Blades leapfrog them into second.
However, 27-year-old Dallas has rubbished the suggestions that “everyone” believes the Elland Road outfit will see their form dip, insisting the fight is still very much alive.
He told Sporting Life: “If you don’t enjoy where we are you are playing the wrong game. You’d much rather be challenging for promotion than being in a dogfight at the bottom end of the table.
“We missed a chance last week (a 1-0 loss to Sheffield United) but we have eight games to go. We are under no illusions about how hard it’s going to be and everyone is capable of beating everyone else in that league.
“Everyone keeps thinking Leeds are going to blow up but I can assure you now we won’t. When you have something to fight for like a place in the Premier League you can’t give up.”
Opinion
It is all good saying that Leeds are not going to let their form drop but the only thing that matters is what Dallas and his teammates do out on the pitch. Having lost to Sheffield United – perhaps the last team in the division that the Whites did not want to give three points – Bielsa and his men have got to bounce back straight away against Millwall. The international break is exactly what the Elland Road squad would have not wanted after such a crucial defeat as they stew over what might have been against the Blades. Still, it seems spirits are still high and the Leeds team are resolute in their belief that they can seal promotion. It is time for the likes of Dallas to put his words into action and make sure Leeds are playing Premier League football next season – otherwise his bold comments will mean absolutely nothing come the summer.