MORTEN Gamst Pedersen admits a huge void was left at Ewood Park when Mark Hughes had his head turned by Manchester City’s millions, but now believes Sam Allardyce is well on his way to building his own Blackburn Rovers empire.

‘Sparky’s’ exit back in June 2008 brought about a miserable next few months for Rovers as, with the inexperienced Paul Ince struggling to fill his shoes, the unthinkable of relegation began to look likely.

Sam Allardyce arrived to steady the ship and since then, with Big Sam at the helm, Rovers have returned to being the Premier League top-half side they were under Hughes.

There is still some way to go before Hughes’ exploits are matched, having led Rovers into Europe, but Pedersen believes they are once again heading in the right direction as they prepare for Sparky’s return to Ewood this afternoon with Fulham.

He said: “It was a blow to lose Mark Hughes. We were down and the one we got in (Paul Ince) we didn’t do so well with. We were bottom of the league almost at one point yet the season before we were looking to make Europe.

“Of course it would not be easy to replace him but, after we had a down under the new one, Sam came and got us on the up again. We are working back up and it is good to be back in the top half.

“When Mark left it was the end of an era a bit because we also lost some players. When you lose three big players and a manager it is a big part of the team. We didn’t bring so many players in.

“You are thinking it is going to be tough to replace what we lost. It is tough when such big players and a manger leave who had such an impact on the club.

“It was a big job to replace Mark Hughes but we had to replace him. Sam has done that now. We were in the semi final of the Carling Cup last year and if we could get to a final that would be massive.

“If you are in the top half there is a small difference from getting into Europe. Especially if the big boys win the cup.”

The similarities between Hughes and Allardyce are obvious. Both pride themselves on their team’s defensive qualities and both are renowned for their no-nonsense approach.

But, as well as some striking similarities, Pedersen insists there are big differences as well as he looks back with pride on being involved in both regimes.

“The team is based on similar attributes as it was under Mark Hughes,” he said. “There are different players and different characters but the confidence is back now like it was then.

“People believe we can play against the big boys again and get a result. On a good day we can beat anyone but we know if we let ourselves down, anyone can beat us.

“Everybody is different. Even if you are similar, you are still different. They are two managers who have had great results at Blackburn Rovers and done well.

“It is a pleasure to play for both but it is still different. Sam is very open and talks to everybody whereas Mark Hughes wasn’t as much.

“But having said that they are very similar as well. They are two great managers and I am proud to have played for them.”

Pedersen though now only has eyes on the future as he bids to help Rovers continue their encouraging start to the new Premier League season against Fulham this afternoon.

Pedersen said: “Are we happy with our start to the season? Yes and no I would say. But we go into the game with confidence.”