Leeds United icon Stuart Dallas opened up about the latter stages of his career on Ben Foster’s podcast, reflecting on the thrilling promotion battle against Brentford that defined the club’s resurgence.His retirement at the end of last season marked a heartbreaking conclusion to a remarkable journey, as Dallas was unable to play for the last two years due to a devastating injury.Despite this setback, he remains a beloved figure among Leeds fans, solidifying his legacy as a key player in the promotion-winning season and a true icon of the club.
One of the most remarkable periods in Leeds United’s recent history was the 2019/20 promotion-winning season, where Stuart Dallas played a crucial role in every position Marcelo Bielsa required.However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing; the team faced challenges during the festive period when their form began to wane. Dallas opened up about this struggle during his appearance on Ben Foster’s podcast, Fozcast, sharing insights into the ups and downs of that unforgettable campaign.
“We started that season really well, and by Christmas, we were 14 or 15 points clear. But as you know, during the festive period with all the congested fixtures, it can all go wrong.“We nearly messed it up; we faced Nottingham Forest away and then Brentford away. We lost to Forest, and then we had to play Brentford, who were on a roll at that time, putting pressure on us from behind.”
Tensions ran high between promotion rivals during that season, especially as Leeds began to squander their comfortable lead, which allowed Nottingham Forest and Brentford to close in. Dallas highlighted the significance of the back-to-back matches against these teams in February 2020.After a disappointing loss to Forest, Thomas Frank’s Brentford seized the opportunity to put pressure on Bielsa’s Leeds. However, the response following that defeat at the City Ground was nothing short of remarkable. Leeds managed a draw at Griffin Park and then embarked on an impressive run, dropping only five points from a possible 42 as they charged toward the title.Reflecting on that intense period, Dallas acknowledged the rivalry fueled by Frank’s Bees and his own contributions to the unfolding drama. He also noted how Bielsa’s ability to motivate the squad played a crucial role in their drastic turnaround in fortunes.
Dallas also recalled his infamous “mind the gap” jibe at Brentford after Leeds clinched promotion and the league title, thanks to the Bees’ slip-up away at Stoke City in July 2020.“I remember Thomas Frank doing interviews saying, ‘Leeds wouldn’t fancy coming to our place.’ I knew what it was like to play at Brentford back then; it was the old stadium, and I understood how challenging it could be. He was really putting the pressure on us, saying, ‘They won’t fancy coming.’“I had a little dig back when we secured promotion, and I probably regret that if I’m being honest. But he was just doing what he needed to do to apply pressure on us.”
“But we went there that night and ended up drawing. Before that, Bielsa had a meeting that was honestly incredible. It was as if we could have played that game right then and there; it made the hairs stand up on my arms. The way he inspired us, everything he conveyed, it was truly remarkable.”
“After losing to Forest, it felt like all hope was lost, and it seemed like we’d crumbled under the pressure once again. But that draw, coming back from behind, was massive for us.It should have been a win, but just stopping the rot that day set the foundation for our incredible run. Frank’s Brentford were a real thorn in our side that season, but the way we managed to keep them at arm’s length from that point on was nothing short of sensational.”