Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

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ElectroClaret
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Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by ElectroClaret » Fri May 10, 2019 10:41 pm

My favourite Claret of the last decade. But do you think he'd slot into our present team if he was at his peak?
Some would no doubt say not, (maybe not Dyche fit?),
but I could just see him playing between midfield and BarWood up front and sliding those inch-perfect balls through for them to latch onto.

Or not....?

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by jrgbfc » Fri May 10, 2019 10:54 pm

Don't think there's any chance Dyche would find room for a player like Blake.

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by bobinho » Fri May 10, 2019 10:58 pm

No. Not fit enough, and his defensive “skills” wouldn’t be good enough.

If we go with the two up top, and they being BarWood as you suggest, no room for Blake I’m afraid.

Wouldn’t fit alongside cork or westy, as that would leave a gaping hole right where we wouldn’t need one.

I’m afraid we’d have to go 4-4-1-1 to accommodate him. That would leave us needing another striker as neither of BarWood would be good enough on their own feeding off what Robbie gave them.

Robbie was good, and no mistake, but I’m afraid he doesn’t get in this team.

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by Rick_Muller » Fri May 10, 2019 10:59 pm

In truth, I don’t think Robbie Blake in his highest pomp would be good enough to be in the starting 11... flair player from the bench perhaps though

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by Devils_Advocate » Fri May 10, 2019 11:00 pm

Not a chance. Stan isnt the only Burnley manager who'd have Little and Blake on the bench for a FA Cup QF

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by Dyched » Fri May 10, 2019 11:10 pm

Easily.

We are looking at Blake doing what he was told to do and told to play.

Dyche will tell him what he wants and he’d do it. We had a thread bumped up on tuesday of Shaqiri. He was told how to play and he put in a unbelievable shift. Blake would to.

Blake would play a role a la David Silva.

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by Bop » Fri May 10, 2019 11:29 pm

Am I bovered?
Whether or not ( & I see him as some of the current fans see Defour) he’d be good enough - his goals and overall play would be sufficient to list him as a Claret legend. If he was at peak fitness - absolutely.

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by CoolClaret » Fri May 10, 2019 11:31 pm

I actually think Blake would fair well in the modern game in that 10 role behind the Striker - could you have imagined him putting balls in for Andre Gray in the Champ? He'd have hit 30+ goals
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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by Clarets4me » Fri May 10, 2019 11:42 pm

CoolClaret wrote:I actually think Blake would fair well in the modern game in that 10 role behind the Striker - could you have imagined him putting balls in for Andre Gray in the Champ? He'd have hit 30+ goals
Aye, if he'd had 120 good chances, and not been banned, perhaps !! 8-)

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by ashtonlongsider » Sat May 11, 2019 9:31 am

Most definitely. The only problem now is how much a modern day Robbie would cost?

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by cricketfieldclarets » Sat May 11, 2019 10:02 am

In the chanpionship yes. But Blake proved he wasnt quite up to this level more than once.

Amazing player for us. But he only got I think two goals (united and bastards) in a more attack minded side!

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by Im_not_Robbie_Blake » Sat May 11, 2019 10:12 am

I'm not him, but I would have to say 'OF COURSE', wouldn't I?!

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by Indecisive » Sat May 11, 2019 10:39 am

As much as Blake showed absolute class at times, we are a different level now, and I really don’t think he had the fitness or consistency that would be needed to demand a place in this team.

There’s a reason he spent the majority of his career at Championship level.

Similar to Little, he was an absolute joy to watch though.

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by Top Claret » Sat May 11, 2019 11:05 am

His only chance of a game would have been in a 4411.
His work rate and lack of athleticism would have been a major no from Dyche in any other formation

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by TVC15 » Sat May 11, 2019 11:10 am

In my view he would have been good enough easily - and I actually think Dyche would have made him a better player.
Anybody who doesn’t think Robbie Blake didn’t put a shift in should rewatch the play off final - or just look at his earlier career with Bradford. Maybe his managers just thought his skills were better utilised at the top end of the pitch.
I wish we could find a player of his ilk in the summer for less than £20m

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by FactualFrank » Sat May 11, 2019 11:14 am

Not at this level, no.

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by ClaretTony » Sat May 11, 2019 11:27 am

I've no idea why he didn't make it as a Premier League player but what a fantastic talent

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by ElectroClaret » Sat May 11, 2019 11:36 am

ClaretTony wrote:I've no idea why he didn't make it as a Premier League player but what a fantastic talent
He was indeed, CT.
My two favourite Robbie moments were probably the goal against United and that brilliant free kick at the BHE
versus PNE.

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by ClaretTony » Sat May 11, 2019 11:42 am

ElectroClaret wrote:He was indeed, CT.
My two favourite Robbie moments were probably the goal against United and that brilliant free kick at the BHE
versus PNE.
So many brilliant goals, the free kicks, the long range efforts and my favourite, the slalom in the box before sliding the ball into the net against Wolves.

and then there was that performance against Spurs.
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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by DomBFC1882 » Sat May 11, 2019 12:08 pm

My favourite ever Burnley player

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by cricketfieldclarets » Sat May 11, 2019 12:47 pm

ClaretTony wrote:I've no idea why he didn't make it as a Premier League player but what a fantastic talent
Speed. Physical not mental.

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by mybloodisclaret » Sat May 11, 2019 1:08 pm

Robbie Blake was amazing to watch absolute class. As above would be great in number 10 role. In his prime, with a Dyche pre season would be absolute class.

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by Spijed » Sat May 11, 2019 1:11 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote:Speed. Physical not mental.
Tbf, many players in our current squad would never be considered good enough on their own, but because they fit into our system so well it's a case of “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by ClaretTony » Sat May 11, 2019 3:31 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote:Speed. Physical not mental.
Hardly, lot of players in the Premier League not as quick as him.

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by jedi_master » Sat May 11, 2019 3:45 pm

Robbie had a great career, but for me he should have played in the Premier League in his pomp (28-32 were his best years).

Don’t know how it didn’t work out at Birmingham for him and under Coyle we were struggling. If the Blake of those years was put into a mid table Premier League team I think he’d have shined. He might not have had pace but he had everything else. Lots of players have had decent careers in our top division without the physical attributes you would ordinarily associate with the elite.

It says volumes that despite 5 years at this level in the last 10 years, he’s still the most naturally gifted player I have seen play for Burnley (before someone steps in, I absolutely DO include Steven Defour in that statement).

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by Spijed » Sat May 11, 2019 4:54 pm

ClaretTony wrote:Hardly, lot of players in the Premier League not as quick as him.
I think it's a misconception that unless you have plenty of pace you will struggle in the Prem - Ashley Barnes being a prime example.

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by cricketfieldclarets » Sat May 11, 2019 9:13 pm

ClaretTony wrote:Hardly, lot of players in the Premier League not as quick as him.
Such as...

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by cricketfieldclarets » Sat May 11, 2019 9:18 pm

Spijed wrote:I think it's a misconception that unless you have plenty of pace you will struggle in the Prem - Ashley Barnes being a prime example.
Barnes is way quicker than Blake. And obviously much more physical.

Its true Blake had amazing touch and awareness. Not to mention vision and finishing. Butit wasnt just pace on the ball that was the problem. It hindered his ability to get into positions to take advantage of his ability.

Goals like man utd were few and far between at that level.

Most of his career was out of the top flight. And his record was still only 1 in 4.

4 assists and 11 goals in the premier league in his career (100 games) says it all.

There are many players with incredible touch and technique who are nowhere near good enough for the premier league because they lack other key attributes.

No shame. He was outstanding at championship level.

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by Hibsclaret » Sun May 12, 2019 10:13 am

jedi_master wrote:Robbie had a great career, but for me he should have played in the Premier League in his pomp (28-32 were his best years).

Don’t know how it didn’t work out at Birmingham for him and under Coyle we were struggling. If the Blake of those years was put into a mid table Premier League team I think he’d have shined. He might not have had pace but he had everything else. Lots of players have had decent careers in our top division without the physical attributes you would ordinarily associate with the elite.

It says volumes that despite 5 years at this level in the last 10 years, he’s still the most naturally gifted player I have seen play for Burnley (before someone steps in, I absolutely DO include Steven Defour in that statement).
Interesting comparison with mentioning Defour. I would say he was probably equal to Blake in terms of natural ability. It’s difficult to compare as they are quite different in terms of the area of pitch they play in.

What I would say is that I have rarely seen a top team destroyed by one player like Blake did against Spurs. Defour has had a better career in terms of clubs played for and 50+ Belgian caps and is an absolute master of his art. Without the injury record he could play for a top 6 club. Not sure you could see Blake at his best playing for a top 6 club. I think that is because of the area of the pitch they play in, certainly if we are basing it on the game as it is today.

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by Hedontplayforyou » Sun May 12, 2019 10:20 am

Blake was and still is one of my favourite Burnley players, he did things that others couldn’t, scored some of the best goals I’ve seen , and was technically so much better than everyone around him

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Re: Robbie Blake : Would He Fit Into Our Current Set-Up?

Post by 3putt » Sun May 12, 2019 9:43 pm

CoolClaret wrote:I actually think Blake would fair well in the modern game in that 10 role behind the Striker - could you have imagined him putting balls in for Andre Gray in the Champ? He'd have hit 30+ goals
spot on Robbie would have made a great no.10,he would have scored a lot of goals as well as mking plenty.

would also hhave loved to have seen him playing alongside Gray: Andre desperately needed the supply that he could havehad from Robbie
Blake was also better tackler than a lot of people think.
would love himin this team,but not a Dyche type player(sadly).

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