Source: Daily_Mail
Blackburn 2 Wigan 1: Allardyce's rant brings the best out of Gamst Pedersen
[LNB]A month ago Sam Allardyce named and shamed a quartet of under-achievers. They included Benni McCarthy and Morten Gamst Pedersen. [LNB]If the Blackburn boss was looking for a response, he got two different ones. McCarthy went absent without leave, desperate to join West Ham. Pedersen simply improved. [LNB]He knuckled down to a new role as a central midfielder and remembered the route to goal. His third in six games was simply stunning. [LNB] Firecracker: Morten Gamst Pederson puts Blackburn a goal to the good with an absolute beauty[LNB]It was Pedersen who broke the deadlock, Pedersen who then headedagainst the bar and Pedersen who set up the winner, Nikola Kalinic'sfirst Barclays Premier League goal. [LNB]With his contract expiring in the summer, he has plenty of incentiveto impress managers, and not just Allardyce. With Blackburn short ofmatch-winners, it was just as well he did. [LNB]There was no McCarthy. There was no David Dunn, the injured topscorer. And there was no Yildiray Basturk, who sat in the stands aftercompleting his move from Stuttgart. [LNB]None were missed. Pedersen scored one and made the other. With aquarter of an hour to go, his in-swinging corner found Kalinic, divingin to end a long wait. [LNB]Of Pedersen, Allardyce said: 'He is looking better and better. Hehas worked his socks off and he ran himself into the ground. It was agreat performance and the first goal was a great goal. [LNB] Rovers return: Blackburn mob Pedersen[LNB]'Morten's goal was terrific. We have moved him in one because wehave changed our system slightly. He is getting more of the ball, hehas become more active and he doesn't have to be quite as quick in thatposition. That has brought the best out of him.'[LNB] Pedersen had rifled in a brilliant half-volley after Brett Emertonchipped a free kick into the penalty area and Vladimir Stojkovic madethe foolhardy decision to try and claim it, only to punch straight tothe Norwegian. [LNB]It was the nadir of an awful league debut from Stojkovic, theon-loan Serb goalkeeper who was deputising for the injured ChrisKirkland. [LNB]But while Pedersen's shot was unstoppable, that did not deter GaryCaldwell from a more convincing impression of a top-class goalkeeperthan Stojkovic managed, throwing himself across in an attempt to tipthe ball past the post. [LNB] Orange crush: New boy Gary Caldwell restores parity[LNB]Had he succeeded, he would have been sent off. As it was, he stayedon the pitch to score Wigan's equaliser. The Scot plunged forward tomeet James McCarthy's corner and head in his first goal since hisswitch from Celtic. [LNB]Wigan boss Roberto Martinez said: 'To lose the game the way we did with a free header in the box is very hard to take.' [LNB]Martinez also attacked agents following Sunderland's pursuit ofMaynor Figueroa, calling on the Premier League to investigate theiractions in the January transfer window, which he wants abolished. [LNB]Martinez said: 'You can see that some agents are an unhealthycorruption in the game. You can understand why he's been affected butthe authorities should look into the transfer window and why the agentshave this power and have this unhealthy control in the game with thebacking of a Premier League football club and that's disgusting.' [LNB] Blackburn clinch Basturk from Stuttgart after recommendation by TugayWigan track Atletico's £14million-rated goalkeeper De GeaBLACKBURN ROVERS FC
