There are a few players who have been pushing for starts but haven’t been given the chance just yet. Good form and results have meant many players have kept their place every week but after the defeat and the manner of the defeat yesterday we could do with a few changes. As I said yesterday it’s no reason to panic but we do need to freshen certain areas up.
The defeat flagged up a few areas where players looked tired and maybe lacking in energy levels and we have plenty in reserve. one of them players who have been impressing off the bench is Stuart Dallas. he has been a key player coming off the bench under Thomas Christiansen, bagging the second goal in two separate games to kill those games off. A wonderful header at Sunderland and then on Tuesday night a counter attack he cut inside and drove the ball home. Here are the reasons he should be starting the game against Ipswich next Saturday afternoon.
1 – Impact vs Millwall – Dallas was the only player who actually looked like making something happen yesterday in a truly awful performance at Millwall. We had nothing at all, the usual suspects didn’t turn up and Dallas was left trying to do it all himself. In the end he couldn’t do it all and he was left running up and down with nobody really wanting the ball off him.
2 – His goals – Dallas has scored two vital goals this season as mentioned above. He would be replacing either Gjianni Alioski or the overrated Pablo Hernandez. Hernandez has started every game and scored one, made one. The one he scored was a penalty and the one he set-up was him taking a corner. I think Dallas having a better record with no starts tells its own story.
3 – Energy Levels – We were lacking in this department at Millwall for the first time and it was exposed so evidently by the London side. We have to add that into the performance next week and I think Dallas and Vieira will answer that problem. He has always had the energy but last season he looked leggy after a big summer with Northern Ireland in France.
4 – A Place Earned – Dallas wasn’t at his best last season, we know that, he knows that. He has grafted his arse off during pre-season to force his way back into the plans of new Head-Coach Thomas Christiansen and has impressed off the bench every time he has been called upon. In my eyes there is no player on the bench who has earned a chance to start more than Stuart Dallas at present.
5 – Full Back Protection – Vurnon Anita has been exposed hugely in the last two games and that is down to three things He hasn’t been playing well, isn’t naturally a left back and has had no protection from his winger, Pablo Hernandez. Dallas won’t allow that to happen and his defensive duties are often overlooked. It is one of his best assets and one that we could have done with so badly yesterday.
Dallas, a key player at International level and is part of a very successful Northern Ireland squad currently
