STRIKER Robbie Blake is hoping the Clarets can emulate tomorrow's opponents Bradford City and turn a poor start into a promotion winning season.

Four seasons ago Blake netted 16 goals as the Bantams won promotion to the Premier League but he recalled: "We had a terrible start in our first few games but then I think we went something like 20 games unbeaten.

"I'm not saying that we can do that here but when you have been through something like that, at least you know that you can. Football is a strange game.

"We have now gone five games unbeaten and we have to try and carry that on, starting at Bradford tomorrow. Wins breed confidence and I think that has shown as we have come from behind in the last few games. The lads have shown good character."

It was under Paul Jewell that the Bantams went up despite just one win and five points in their first seven games. The manager was under pressure and thought ready for the sack but Bradford lost only six more games as they went up behind Sunderland with Blake scoring the winning goal in the last game of the season.

But it is a very different club he will return to tomorrow, one that is just about to come out of administration after appearing set to fold in the summer.

"Look at the team compared to a year ago and there have been a lot of changes but they have been doing well," said Blake.

"I still speak to a few of the lads including Wardy, Athers and Wethers but the likes of Gary Locke and Eoin Jess have left.

"Wardy is still there and he was great to play alongside. He is very strong and he would run his socks off."

Blake's place in Bantams' history is secure and he admitted: "I always had a fantastic relationship with the fans at Bradford, they were great for me in the five years I had there.

"They gave me a good cheer when I played against them at Turf Moor last season but when you go back to a former club you always expect there might be a few jeers.

"The two clubs are quite similar although Burnley is by tradition bigger."

But that is in the past and now Blake is determined to make sure he has as big an impact at Turf Moor.

"Everyone knows it has been a bit up and down for me since I came here and the real Robbie Blake is still not fully there," he said. "But I do feel I am on my way back and with a few more games and a bit more fitness I will be all the better."

Blake certainly showed what he can do as he set up the equaliser against Millwall with a sharp turn and clever pass and he admitted: "That's how I like it, the ball coming in to feet.

"It was good to be involved in the goal because when you come on as a sub it is important to make an impact. We have a lot of good strikers at the club, all wanting to play, and when you get the chance it is up to you to take it.

"Me and Mooro got to play when Dimi and Gareth went on international duty, then they came back the other night but the match ended with all four of us on. Now it is up to the gaffer who plays against Bradford.

"In the early games of the season we were not creating chances but even though we weren't at our best against Millwall we had a lot of chances."

Clarets assistant boss knows Blake will be fired up for the match and he said: "Robbie did well there and played in the Premier League for them. Let's hope he does as well for us."