Source: PA
Allardyce hails improving Pedersen
Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce believes Morten Gamst Pedersen is approaching his best form - but feels the fact the midfielder had to come off against Aston Villa demonstrates that the recent fixtures schedule has been too demanding.
Rovers made it three wins in four Barclays Premier League games with a 2-0 victory at Ewood Park on Sunday in which Pedersen struck both goals, taking his personal tally to five in his last five matches.
Now, having been forced to withdraw Pedersen yesterday as a precaution when the winger felt a tightening of his hamstring, Allardyce has hit out at the Premier League.
"Morten's injury is a legacy of too many games in such a short period of time," said Allardyce, who replaced the goalscorer with debutant Herold Goulon.
"He played in every game building up to the international week, then played for Norway and scored a great goal before playing again here (against Villa).
"It is a fatigue injury, like the one we got with Brett Emerton. I have criticised the Premier League for structuring the fixtures the way they have - I think it's wrong to have a three-game Premier League week before an international week and I don't think there is any need for it whatsoever in the calendar year."
