Source: Team_Talk
Allardyce desperate to keep Pedersen
Sam Allardyce is hoping Blackburn's top-half finish will convince Morten Gamst Pedersen to stay at Ewood Park.[LNB] The Norwegian winger is out of contract this summer and a number of sides from around Europe are thought to be interested in him.[LNB]The 28-year-old came off the bench on Sunday to help Rovers follow up their 2-1 win over Arsenal with a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa.[LNB]That rounded off a run of just one defeat in their last nine league games and secured a 10th-placed finish for Rovers.[LNB]And Allardyce is hoping the feel-good factor amongst his squad is enough to persuade Pedersen to extend his six-year stay with Blackburn.[LNB]Asked if there were any contract developments, the former Bolton boss said: "No, I don't know yet. We are still keeping our fingers crossed.[LNB]"Hopefully the last two results will go some way to sort it out in our favour and he won't go anywhere else.[LNB]"I've just been in a great dressing room," Allardyce added. "It borders, for me, on the time that I had at Bolton - it feels that good.[LNB]"There is a lot to be said for that feeling. It doesn't come around too often and I never felt that I would get that type of unity and team spirit within 18 months, given all the changes we have had."[LNB]Pedersen joined Blackburn from Tromso in 2004 and has gone on to make 241 appearances for the club, scoring 38 goals.[LNB]Allardyce took charge at Ewood Park following the sacking of Paul Ince in December 2008 and steered Rovers to a 15th-placed finish last season before coming 10th this term.
