PNE's flexible friends

Several players showed their versatility last term to help cover injuries and allow for changes in formation.

Gallagher himself played in central midfield and also out wide, and he particularly liked the deeper role which allowed him to get on the ball and 
display a range of passing.

A prime example of that came in March’s derby clash with Blackburn when he joined the action as a sub and helped PNE play their way back into the game.

Gallagher told the Post: “One thing about this club is there are a lot of players who can play in different positions.

“Myself, Aiden McGeady, Tom Barkhuizen and Callum Robinson, we all played wide, in midfield and up front.

“Barkhuizen even played as a wing-back which shows how flexible he was.

“We have got a squad that is flexible and can move around.

“You need that, whether it is because you have people out injured or that it gives the gaffer the chance to change things between games or 
during games.”

Gallagher started 28 of PNE’s Championship games in the season just finished.

Many were in the centre of midfield, with some of the games seeing him drop a bit deeper – a role he had filled with plenty of success the campaign before.

Said Gallagher: “The other season I played in that role a lot and enjoyed it.

“We played a different way this time but there were times I got to drop deeper.

“If you’ve got players that will give you the ball and you’ve got players who you can give the ball to – and do great things with – then it makes it a lot easier.

“It’s a role that I’ve matured into and enjoy. You’ve got to be more disciplined.

“I’m an attacking player so I like to get forward and create and score goals but you know you can’t leave the defence 
exposed.”