Robbie Blake is ready to show there is life in Bradford City after Benito Carbone.

With the star attraction beginning a three-month loan stint with Derby - which could lead to a proper deal by January - the onus is on the remaining strikers to do the business. None more so than Blake.

It's a challenge that Blake is relishing as he looks to nail down an elusive regular spot.

His frustrations at failing to feature every week led to a clear-the-air chat with boss Jim Jefferies. And now that Carbone is history - for three months at least - his big chance is here.

Blake said: "I had a chat with the gaffer whose been great with me and told me everything that's going on. And then it's helped me with Beni going.

"All I've wanted is a run of games. But before Tuesday I felt as though I had to score or do really well in every game I started or came on in.

"I felt I was under pressure all the time. But ask any player, playing one game then being left out the next one does nothing for your confidence.

"You need three or four games to get into the swing of it. Hopefully I'll now get that.

"Every player is better when they are relaxed and now I can let the ball do the talking."

Blake held up his hand to the mistake which led to the first goal in Crystal Palace's 2-0 win in midweek.

But like his team-mates, he remains mystified about the final outcome.

"It was unbelievable but you have to take your hat off to Matt Clarke who was absolutely brilliant.

"It was my error for the first goal but we had five or six good chances and you would expect to get a couple from them.

"We're going to play worse than that another time and win so we must not get too downhearted.

"We shouldn't have got beaten by three against Wolves and obviously should have picked up the three points on Tuesday.

"But we've got Birmingham away tomorrow and Millwall on Tuesday which are both big games to put it right.

"I think we should be aiming to pick up four points from those two at least.

"But there is no panic yet in the dressing room. The lads are still upbeat about the season. Hopefully I can get a couple of goals tomorrow to give us the lift we need."