PLAYED FOR BOTH: ROBBIE BLAKE

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Ahead of Monday night’s game with Nottingham Forest we caught up with the former Clarets and Reds striker

2023-09-16T17:00:00.000Z

PLAYED FOR BOTH: ROBBIE BLAKE

Ahead of Monday night’s game with Nottingham Forest we caught up with the former Clarets and Reds striker

2023-09-16T17:00:00.000Z

Robbie Blake played 282 games in Claret & Blue and holds nothing but special memories across his two spells at Turf Moor.

After a three-month loan spell at Nottingham Forest in 2000, Blake joined the Clarets on a permanent deal from Bradford City in 2002 and scored 42 goals in three seasons before leaving for Birmingham City three years later.

The forward spent only a season with the Blues and two campaigns with Leeds United before a return to Burnley in 2007, which Blake described as ‘unfinished business’ with the Club.

Speaking to burnleyfootballclub.com, the current Bognor-Regis Town manager reflected on his time at both Burnley and Forest, ‘that’ goal against Man United and gave his predictions and pre-match analysis of Monday night’s clash at the City Ground.

Blake said: “When I first came to Burnley, I was actually injured I had a hernia even though I didn’t actually know it at the time. I was rested for a bit and was told it was a muscle strain but I saw a specialist and he said it was a hernia.

“I tried to train and impress at the start with Stan (Ternent) but what I should have done was probably say I can’t play or train just yet and try get right but I just wanted to hit the ground running straight away.

“I came back because I felt like I had unfinished business at the Club. Sometimes the supporters can see things differently from the outside but I didn’t really want to leave and I always thought after leaving ‘I will go back there’.”

The Middlesbrough-born forward was keen to return to the Clarets and glad that a move back could be done, Blake added: “Luckily two years later I got to go back there and we went on to have great success. On a personal level and collective level, we did special things and we made history."

Ahead of Sunday's clash with Forest we take a look at players that have represented both clubs over the years

Following his return to Turf Moor, Blake helped the Clarets secure promotion to the top-flight in his second season back in 2009 with a 1-0 win at Wembley against Sheffield United.

Blake then wrote his name in history once more after scoring the winning goal with a thunderous strike and Burnley's first in the Premier League in a victory against Manchester United.

“To be honest at the time you don’t really realise or take it all in. Whilst you know it’s a special goal and occasion, in the present moment you don’t really think about it.

“It’s only when you retire and it comes up on social media or when United are playing Burnley and it gets mentioned that you actually realise and being honest if that moment could have been at any club, I played for I’m so grateful it was at Burnley.”

PLAYED FOR BOTH: NOTTINGHAM FOREST - Image 1

Before the striker arrived in east Lancashire for his first spell at the Club, Blake had spent the previous season on loan at the City Ground, another team that the attacker holds fond memories of despite only a brief stint in Nottinghamshire.

“I was there for only about three months, but it really was a fantastic club. I went on loan there from Bradford City, who were in the Premier League.

“Forest were really underachieving at the time but I had great success in the three months that I was there I felt.

“I think we actually tried to make it a permanent move but due to the finances of the club at the time it was quite difficult to get it done.

“They’re a fantastic club with an amazing history and support behind them. It’s great to see them back in the Premier League and where they deserve to be.”

Blake added: “I think Steve (Cooper) has done a great job there since he’s gone in. He was given time after a spell where some expected him to maybe leave.

“They survived last year which will have been the main aim and they have started pretty well this season.

“I think their home form could be key for them this season. They have started fairly well especially against some of the big boys but I think they will do well this season.”

Reflecting on the Clarets' start to life in the Premier League, whilst Blake admits it's been a difficult start he believes the team and manager have what it takes to kick on and establish themselves in the top-flight.

The 47-year-old said: “They have had a sticky start yes, but I think they have had a difficult start with the fixtures. The manager has brought in a number of players which is always going to take time to get them all settled in and see his best XI.

“Once they do that, I think they will kick on massively, I think the manager is different class and has done amazing for Burnley and the only downside I would say is that he wasn’t the manager when I was there, because I would have loved to have played under him!”

Looking ahead to Monday's clash, Blake anticipates a tough game for both sides but hopes the Clarets can claim their first league win of the 2023/24 season.

“It will be a tough game. Reading between the lines I imagine Burnley will have plenty of possession and enjoy a lot of the ball, whilst Forest will try use their pace and power to attack going forward.

“I think it will be an entertaining game to be honest. I will be watching it on Monday with it being on TV and Forest fans might not like this but I hope Burnley get their first win and I’m going to go 2-1 Burnley.”