The only way we can stop people talking about the past is to do something in the present... and create our own history Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson says the club's success under Martin O'Neill in the late 1990s and the huge expectations among supporters should serve as an inspiration to the current team.

The Foxes are third in the Championship after a fine start to the season.

But despite only returning to the second tier of English football this summer, Foxes fans are already dreaming of regaining their Premier League status.

The five-year O'Neill era saw cup finals, trophies, European football, regular top-10 finishes in the top flight and some wonderful memories of competing against and beating the best in the country.

But far from being daunted by those treasured memories, Pearson just wants to use them to create new ones.

"The only thing I can do - along with the staff with the players - is to create our own history," Pearson told BBC Radio Leicester.

"Quite rightly people talk about successful managers of the past and I have a very high regard for Martin. He's been successful wherever he's been.

"He is held in high esteem and why shouldn't the fans think like that?

"It doesn't put any more pressure on our situation as the only way we can stop people talking about the past is to do something in the present."

The chance to emulate O'Neill's spectacular achievements are a step closer after a more than encouraging start to the season which has seen them lose just three games in the league.

And although Pearson has a reputation as being a guarded and somewhat dour interviewee, he has no qualms about talking about securing back-to back promotions.

"What is important is that we striving to be successful and success this year would be to be involved in that promotion push," Pearson said.

"I have a lot belief in the people that work here and the players and we'll see where it takes us but there's an awful long way to go.

"Promotion to the Premier League is something we all aspire to.

NIGEL PEARSON: player and manager Age: 46 Played for: Shrewsbury Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Middlesbrough Career appearances: 544 Career goals: 30 Managed: Carlisle, West Brom, Newcastle, Southampton, Leicester Win/loss record as manager: Played: 125 Won: 51 Lost: 28

"Whether we can achieve it this year is another thing; whether we can achieve it the year after is a question that will be answered in time."

His confidence no doubt stems partly from the fact that chairman Milan Mandaric seems to have complete faith in his manager, despite being labelled as a trigger-happy chief.

"Milan and I get on very well and have done from the start," Pearson added.

"We have a good working relationship but also on a personal level we get on very well so that's a good starting point.

"But I'm no fool; it's about results and when you go into management, at some point you are going to be under pressure and just because you get on doesn't mean that it doesn't apply."

Cautious as Pearson is about his long-term job prospects, he is eager to see the job through at the Walkers Stadium.

And he hopes the job-hopping days of his formative years in football management and coaching are behind him and he can show the loyalty he demonstrated in his three-club playing career for Shrewsbury Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough.

"Football is more so now than it ever has been a short-fix environment," Pearson explained.

"As a player I had three clubs in 18 years. Since I retired I've had seven or eight jobs. What that illustrates is how volatile the industry is.

"I would rather be in a position to see something through. We've had a good 18 months but that's all it is is and we have to build on what we have so far."

606: DEBATE Honesty & Integrity are very rare in any walk of life these days and especially in professional football. What's more Pearson appears to command respect and I'm sure all the players respect him as well. He's certainly earnt mine!! birchys left peg

Pearson is halfway through a three-year deal at Leicester and says his future has been discussed but also says there is no panic to get things sorted in the immediate future.

"I'm very happy here and we are 18 months in but I'm not spending time thinking about my personal situation," he added.

"I like to do things as well as I can. I want to be a success, I enjoy working with the people I work with here and that's across the board.

"I take great pride in what we do here and great pride in the roles people play for the club and it doesn't have to be a high-profile position.

"We are putting together a squad which is always evolving and I like to think I am playing my part in trying to move this club forward in the right direction.

"I'm in the early stages of my managerial career and I'm enjoying it."

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