Gallagher.

[flanimal]

He's got a bit of class. Still not sure Leicester are playing a system that suits him, though.

[Jiggers the Fox]

If i were him there'd be a framed 60inch copy of this above my bed.

[Arkie Bennett]

I've been saying to the bloke next to me all season how Gallagher is a top quality player. He (Gallagher, not the bloke next to me) has excellent ball control, creativity, vision, the ability to pass short and long, and an eye for goal and a shot to match. He's also a superb team man, willing to do his share of defensive work when necessary. If and when we get into the Premiership, Gallagher will become a big star.

[jonthefox]

If i were him there'd be a framed 60inch copy of this above my bed.

why him, i want one.

[MikeyT]

Fantastic Mr Fox

As part of skysports.com's Championship spotlight, Chris Burton catches up with Leicester City striker Paul Gallagher.

Championship Spotlight Posted 23rd April 2010

The 2009/10 campaign has been one of second comings in the Championship, with 'revival' probably the best word to describe the exploits of those towards the top of the table.

Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion have both bounced back into the Premier League at the first time of asking, while a number of sleeping giants have awoken from their slumber.

Nottingham Forest are set to grace the play-offs, in an effort to return to the top flight for the first time in 11 years, Cardiff and Swansea are proudly flying the flag for Wales and Blackpool, who appeared to be comatose at one stage, are threatening to return to former glories.

Into that heady mix you can also add Leicester City, who have come roaring back into the public conscious after a painful fall from grace.

The Foxes were once top flight staples under the tutelage of Martin O'Neill, while regular trips down Wembley Way were made in a succession of League Cup finals.

However, the good times could not last and once they hit the skids they struggled to find the brakes.

A turbulent tumble sent them crashing all the way into League One, although they are hardly alone in that respect as Forest, Sheffield Wednesday, Manchester City and Leeds United have all spent time in the third tier at some stage or another over recent years.

At one point it looked as though it could be a long way back for the men from the Midlands, with it difficult to see how they envisaged clambering up a rope ladder swinging wildly in the wind.

Enter Nigel Pearson in June 2008, a highly-rated young coach with a determined attitude and the kind of hunger required to salvage a sinking ship.

In his first season in the job he guided the Foxes to the League One title, ensuring their stay at that level lasted no more than 12 months and they avoided the prospect of getting stuck in a rut.

Foolishly, many of us then presumed that life back in the second tier would be all about consolidation, until such time as the wheels had been put back on the cart and they were ready to move forward.

Achievement

Pearson, though, had other ideas, hitting the ground running and refusing to slow down until the 2009/10 marathon had been run.

At present, with two games of the season remaining, he has Leicester handily placed inside the Championship play-off places and all set for a tilt at an improbable return to the big time.

No-one at the Walkers Stadium is taking anything for granted just yet but, as skysports.com's Chris Burton found out when he caught up with strike ace Paul Gallagher, there is a quiet sense of optimism sweeping around the club again, suggesting the good times could lie just around the corner.

"I wouldn't say it's virtually wrapped up, it's still mathematically possible that something else could happen," said Gallagher when pressed on Leicester's seemingly imminent foray into the promotion shake-up.

"We have got a big game on Saturday away at Preston and if we can get a result there, and other results go our way, then it will be a fantastic achievement for the club, given our size and where we have come from last season. But we have to take things one step at a time. We can't jump the gun and look to the play-offs because we aren't there yet."

While many of those on the outside looking in will consider Leicester to be overachievers this term, given where they were a year ago, Gallagher insists the aim was always to be in the top-six mix at this stage of the campaign.

He added: "The club has got massive ambition, that's one of the reasons I signed here. When I came here the manager said they were going to strive to get in the play-offs, so our ambition was always to try and achieve a play-off spot.

"I know other people around other places will think our ambition was to stay up but it's never been like that, it's always been about getting in the play-offs.

"There is always a team that makes a late charge and hopefully that will be us. We have gone and won a few games recently so we have to keep that momentum going into the play-offs."

On the reasons behind Leicester's success this season, Gallagher believes team spirit is towards the top of the list.

"We are a hard-working team and we fight for each other," he said.

"We just try and do the basics right and if we do that we have got good players who can open teams up and score goals. The first thing I think is that we have been hard to play against."

Expectations

Gallagher also believes that Leicester would be more than capable of holding their own in the Premier League should their dream season throw up a fitting finale.

"We're not there yet, but I think this club is a big club," said the Scot.

"We get an average attendance of 25,000 a week, so it has got all the right equipment to go up - the stadium, the training ground. The players are now doing what they have to do on the pitch and have done a great job.

"Manchester City went down to League One and bounced back, and now look at them. If Leicester go up they will be getting 25,000 average, and on a good day 30-odd thousand. It's a big club, has high expectations and has a good fan base. It's got everything to go with it as well.

"I can't see why we couldn't compete if it comes to that. I think we would do ourselves proud, but we can't look that far ahead because we have still got two big games to play this season."

The 25-year-old frontman will be hoping to lead Leicester's promotion assault, as he has been among the goals in recent weeks and was named Championship Player of the Month for February.

He admits he now feels more settled in his new surroundings, having arrived from Blackburn Rovers last summer, and claims Foxes fans are now beginning to see his true capabilities.

"When I first came here I took a bit of time to find my feet, but I have been here a good few months now and I know the place inside out," he said.

"The last few months I have shown what I can do and why the manager brought me here. It's not all about me, though, it's about the team and that's the most important thing. As a team we have done well and I am happy with my contribution."

Gallagher chose to join Leicester last summer after growing disillusioned with life at Ewood Park.

Comfortable

Having often found himself on the fringes at Rovers, he was loaned out on a regular basis - taking in spells at the likes of Stoke (twice), Preston and Plymouth.

Eventually the lack of stability became too much and he took the brave decision to turn his back on the club who helped to nurture his talents and take on a fresh challenge elsewhere.

Gallagher said: "That was the first thing I looked at when I went back to Blackburn last summer, I thought I need to get my head down. I tried to make it there but it didn't happen so I took a step back and thought maybe I needed to make a permanent move to get my career back on track.

"I wanted to find a home and spend three or four years there, or the rest of my career there. It was important for me to find a place where I could be comfortable and happy, and at the moment I have found that place.

"There are always challenges in life and this is one I took. I am looking forward to it, the season has gone well and hopefully it will get even better.

"It was a big decision to move, as I had been brought up there at Blackburn, but you have to make that type of decision in life. I decided to come to Leicester and I stand by my decision."

Gallagher is also hoping that the opportunity to play regular first-team football will help him to catch the eye of Scotland boss Craig Levein.

He has one international cap to his name already, from a meeting with Wales in 2004, but admits he is desperate to add to that collection in the future.

"If I can do well for Leicester City and keep scoring goals, putting in good performances then you never know," he said.

"You must be doing something right if your team is on the verge of a play-off place, but I will just keep my head down and work hard.

"If that call comes I will be delighted, though, because everyone wants to play for their country. I have had one game and I am gasping for another one. If I keep doing well, hopefully that call won't be too far away."

[fearless fox]

I've been saying to the bloke next to me all season how Gallagher is a top quality player. He (Gallagher, not the bloke next to me) has excellent ball control, creativity, vision, the ability to pass short and long, and an eye for goal and a shot to match. He's also a superb team man, willing to do his share of defensive work when necessary. If and when we get into the Premiership, Gallagher will become a big star.

[fearless fox]

i couldnt agree more, gallagher in my opinion would be in my selection every time, yes, he does slow the game down sometimes, but he also creates a hell of a lot more than others do, i would sooner see him make up the midfield than oakley, at least gallagher goes forward with the ball and will get stuck in when in a 50-50.

[Webbo]

That was outrageously brilliant when Gallagher lobbed their keeper virtually from the dugout today but I can sort of understand why the ref disallowed it. Then their keeper only just stopped the ball going in again when he retook it.

[Webbo]

.