BRFC Articles

Blake used to basement battle

Blackburn's miserable position at the foot of the Premiership may scare some at Ewood Park, but it doesn't concern Nathan Blake. And there's no reason why a relegation dogfight should send shivers down the spine of the new �4.5 million man - he's experienced the drop three times in his career.

"You can't let it affect you," Blake told MATCH. "Some people play in three cup finals with three clubs and some find themselves in relegation battles - that's just the way it is. I don't let it get me down. I've had successful times and I've had unsuccessful times - they balance each other up."

But relegation hasn't always meant bad news. In many ways, it's helped Blake's career. "After I went down with Sheffield United I was expected to score a lot of goals," he said. "It didn't happen at first but I finally got off the mark and got 18. The next season, I had 13 goals by Christmas and the move to Bolton came about."

Goals flowed at Bolton before relegation again. Now he is charged with keeping Rovers in the top flight, despite competition at the club. "I am happy being one of four strikers or being the main man, it doesn't matter," he said. "I'm happy to be at the club I'm at, in the position I'm in."