Source: Team_Talk
Big Sam hopeful of new Morten deal
Pedersen is out of contract in the summer, and so far as Allardyce is aware, neither the Norway midfielder nor his agent is not involved in any talks over a pre-contract move to another club.[LNB]The 28-year-old, however, has suddenly recaptured his form over the past few weeks that may now bring him to the attention of any clubs monitoring his situation.[LNB]Pedersen scored a stunning 20-yard strike in last night's 2-1 win over Lancashire rivals Wigan at Ewood Park, his third goal in as many games in the Premier League.[LNB]Asked whether he was confident of holding onto Pedersen, Allardyce replied: "Yeah, I think so.[LNB]"We all know he is out of contract this year, so we will have to see what we can do about that.[LNB]"There's no reason for us to do anything with him at this stage, not unless somebody suddenly pops up from abroad to give him a pre-contract.[LNB]"If that was the case then we would have heard about that, so we'll obviously try and continue to talk to him regarding a new contract."[LNB]It is the fact Pedersen has been switched from his long-held wing role to being part of a three-man central midfield that has thrust him back into the spotlight again.[LNB]The fans, however, have expressed their frustration at the 4-5-1 formation, as they did last night when they chanted for 4-4-2 prior to Niko Kalinic's 76th-minute winner.[LNB]Allardyce, though, believes Pedersen has benefited enormously from the system change.[LNB]"He is getting more of the ball, become more active," said Allardyce.[LNB]"He doesn't have to be quite as quick in that position as he does out wide, so doing that has brought the best out of him.[LNB]"It's been a major bonus for us and him. It's allowed him to get more involved in the game, to express himself more and he has found more space there.[LNB]"He is also finding his quality in the final third, which is something he has done before at this club.[LNB]"I hope he continues to grow in confidence like many of the other lads are doing at the moment.[LNB]"Some may say it's a long time over due, but if it's back, let's hope it's back for a long time."[LNB]Allardyce cites two of his youngsters in Martin Olsson and Steven Nzonzi as players slowly growing in stature as they become more accustomed to life in the Premier League.[LNB]Another is Kalinic, an apparent gamble at the age of just 22 and a price tag of £6million when Allardyce signed him from Hadjuk Split last summer.[LNB]Following Roque Santa Cruz's high-profile departure to Manchester City, naturally expectation fell on the shoulders of Kalinic upon his arrival.[LNB]The Croatia international may only have six goals to his name, but four of those have come in his last six matches as he has slowly found his feet, a deliberate plan by Allardyce.[LNB]"We didn't want to rush him into the Premier League because it's a massive step at his age, and the hardest place to play is on the frontline," said Allardyce.[LNB]"We've fed him in as slowly as we possibly could. We've not listened to all the moaners who have said 'Why have we spent that much money on him?'[LNB]"We've been patient, even more patient than we needed to be at times because when we weren't getting the results we wanted, we still didn't put him in because we knew he wasn't ready.[LNB]"So we resisted, and it's finally beginning to pay off for us."[LNB][LNB] West Ham Evens, Draw 12/5, Blackburn 11/4
