Stuart Dallas says Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa had instilled a belief in the side that they could win at Premier League leaders Manchester City; Leeds won 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday with Dallas scoring in each half; Leeds played the second half with 10 men
Monday 12 April 2021 14:59, UK
Stuart Dallas says Marcelo Bielsa gave Leeds United the belief that they could go to Manchester City and get a win.
Leeds pulled off a remarkable 2-1 victory away to champions-elect City on Saturday with Dallas scoring both goals, the second coming in stoppage time.
Bielsa's side had to play the whole of the second half with 10 men after Liam Cooper was dismissed for a lunge on Gabriel Jesus shortly before the break.
But Dallas insists there is always a belief in Leeds' squad that they can upset the odds wherever they play.
"You've just got to look at the game on Saturday," the Northern Ireland international told Sky Sports News. "We went to Manchester City to win the game, whether people call us crazy or naïve that's their opinion.
"He (Bielsa) showed a belief in us that we can go to these places and get a result. Of course we're not going to win the league but we're more than capable of putting in a performance and we've shown that throughout the season.
"We've been criticised at times for how we've played and again it's a matter of opinion but that just shows what type of manager he is.
"He gives us, as players, the belief. He does everything he can, him and his staff throughout the week, to give us the best opportunity to go to these places and get a result.
"Of course like on Saturday when you go down to 10 men the game plan changes but you've seen how we defended, we were close to each other in defence, we got tackles in and we ran forward at the right times.
"I'm sure he may not take credit for getting that result but believe me he had a big part to play in it.
"He's different, he's unique the way he sees a game and there would have been no prouder man on Saturday than him. Deep down inside he'll be buzzing.
"He just wants to see us do the best we can do. He sets very high standards and we have come to demand it of ourselves now.
"It's great to work under a manager like him, it's incredible the transformation he's made in my career. I've worked under a lot of good managers in the past but for him to believe in me and show confidence in me has been incredible. He's been a joy to work with and hopefully there are a few more years to come yet."
The man who gave Stuart Dallas his first big chance was Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter.
He signed Dallas, who was then 18, for the Irish Premiership side after watching him impress for Coagh United in an Irish Cup game against Crusaders in 2010.
"He has that great ability to drag into all areas of a football pitch with his great engine and when you have that in the locker you can mix it with the best of them," Baxter told Sky Sports News.
"Couple that with his great talents off both feet and his ability to pass and his vision around a football pitch.
"He just seems to be in every corner of the pitch all of the time so when an attack is developing he's there, when he's having to defend he's there. He can play in so many different positions, his versatility is really incredible.
"You just throw him into all these different positions so nothing surprises me with Stuart. To just mix it and climb in the different leagues he's played in has just been superb and to watch his rise has been brilliant.
"He's every manager's dream because he listens and he learns. I watched him on Saturday hitting the box late and making those dragging runs from one half to the next.
"He either scores a goal by hitting that late run or if the play breaks down he's able to get back in again and get back in his defensive position.
"So with that ability, like a cross country runner if you like, he can get round the pitch all of the time and that's a great attribute to have."
