Stuart Dallas believes Leeds United need to improve if they ‘really want to push’ on in the Championship promotion race.
After another good week at Elland Road, Leeds once again come unstuck on the road as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Preston North End.
It took a 93rd minute own goal from substitute Jack Whatmough for Leeds to pick up a point, having gone behind in the first half due to another poor piece of goalkeeping by Illan Meslier.
Having said that, Leeds can feel extremely aggrieved they weren’t playing against 10-men for almost an hour, as referee John Busby opted against handing Ben Whiteman a second yellow card.
Daniel Farke was left incensed at the decision, while Paul Heckingbottom also admitted it should have been a red. Busby must’ve been the only man in the ground not to see it that way.
Dallas shares worry over Leeds promotion push
Leeds have now accumulated 42 points from their 21 matches so far, which is a solid return as it keeps them on the track of averaging two a game.
However, the worrying thing for Leeds is that two thirds of those points have come at Elland Road, with the draw at Deepdale a further sign of their struggles.
Leeds have now won just one of their last six away matches in the Championship, and even then it also took a stoppage time winner from Wilfried Gnonto.
Daniel Farke‘s side just haven’t managed to find a way of being as dominant on their travels as they are at home.
And speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Leeds legend Dallas is growing a little concerned about how many points they are dropping away, and says it needs to change if ‘want to push on’.
He said: “He doesn’t get too carried away when he wins, he doesn’t get too carried away when they drop points. He’ll see that as a decent enough point. But for me it’s coming too often now away from home. They’ve got to start winning games if they really want to push on.”
Dallas shares verdict on Illan Meslier mistake
Although Leeds were a long way from the performance levels on Tuesday night against Boro, they did restrict PNE to very little.
Meslier literally didn’t have anything to do aside from the shot on target that went in, a shot that any ‘keeper at this level should save. Sheffield United’s Michael Cooper would, that’s for sure.
Speaking at half-time, Dallas admitted Meslier should’ve done better for the goal, a statement Leeds have heard far too often this season.
He said: “I think he should do. But listen, great goal.”
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