Stuart Dallas reflects on Leeds United 'rollercoaster' ride as pressure increases amid Premier League return

Stuart Dallas says his time with Leeds United has been a 'rollercoaster' with pressure increasing now the Whites are back in the Premier League.

The Northern Irishman - who joined the club in 2015 - was a key figure in Marcelo Bielsa's promotion winners last term, as the LS11 outfit lifted the Championship trophy by a 10-point margin in the summer.

Dallas featured heavily with Leeds ending 16 years of hurt by returning to the top flight for the first time since the club's relegation in 2004.

United have made the leap to the Premier League but their new surroundings have brought increased expectation at Elland Road.

Bielsa's team have acquired 17 points from their opening 14 games of the campaign, sitting seven points clear of the drop zone.

Dallas and his teammates can be pleased by the start they have made despite a few bump along with way, with the 29-year-old enjoying the best spell of his five-year stay in West Yorkshire.

"When I look back at the journey I've been on, it's been a bit of a rollercoaster," Dallas told Sky Sports.

"I've had a lot of highs and a lot of lows. To have been part of the team that has taken Leeds back to the Premier League has been incredible.

"To have the opportunity to play for this club is something that you dream of as a young lad, to represent a club like this.

"Now to get the opportunity to play in the Premier League is huge for us and huge for me, personally."

Asked about the weight of expectation on promotion and how that has adjusted in the top flight, he said: "The pressure was huge, especially after we failed in the first year that Marcelo came in.

"The pressure was enormous to get this club back to the Premier League.

"We've finally done that and people say you'll be legends and heroes forever. That has sort of gone away now and the expectation is more.

"People are disappointed now when we go to places and don't pick up results. I think that shows the expectation now that is on us again."