MORTEN Gamst Pedersen is ready to show the rest of the Premiership that Blackburn Rovers can build a reputation based on quality football.
The Norwegian scored a stunning volley to open his account for the season in Saturday's 2-1 win over Fulham and also took the corner that set up the spectacular winner for Tugay in the 70th minute.
Now Pedersen reckons that his team's performance can send out a warning to other clubs, starting with leaders Tottenham, who come to Ewood Park on Wednesday.
"We're showing that we are a good side that plays good football," said Pedersen, as Rovers avoided a repeat of last week's defeat to West Ham despite conceding another early second half equaliser.
"It was a much better first half than last week and we showed that we can get back in and win a game. We never give up and that's a good strength to have.
"We could have won by more than one goal, with Lucas Neill hitting the bar late on, but the most important thing was to win.
"We've got that first win today but we know we can get more points, so hopefully we'll get some more on Wednesday.
"Tottenham have had a good start but we played well against them in the last game of last season. It will be a good game and hopefully we can be the better team again."
Despite the awesome power and precision of Pedersen's 15th minute volley, he was reserving more praise for Tugay after the game.
The Turkish midfielder was picked out on the edge of the area by Pedersen and he swept a wonderful first time shot into the net.
Pedersen said: "It was a great finish. I saw him on the three corners before that but I didn't want to use him because he wasn't totally free.
"But on the last one he was free and it was the perfect finish.
"We didn't practice the move, you have to see those passes and just do something else that people don't know about.
"The goals he scores are always good goals like against Burnley last year. He's a top player."
A further scan on Craig Bellamy's injury has revealed a tear in the muscle that joins his thigh to his hip, but Rovers are taking it 'game by game' in terms of the length of his lay-off.
Paul Dickov also picked up a thigh strain while on international duty last week but this injury isn't likely to keep him out longer than the duration of his suspension, which ends with the match against Bolton on September 11.
Meanwhile, Jonathon Douglas joined Leeds United on a season-long loan at the weekend, but Rovers can recall him in the January transfer window.
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