ROBBIE Blake believes success over Birmingham City tomorrow could set the tone for the rest of Burnley’s season.

The Clarets striker was disappointed that the performance at promotion favourites Reading couldn’t be mirrored in the scoreline, as a nine-game unbeaten run ended before the break for internationals with a 3-1 defeat.

But as Burnley build up to another run of seven games in 21 days, Blake believes this three-week period could define their season, with the first of that batch, against his former club, the most crucial.

“There’s no stand-out team in the division, which showed with our nine-game unbeaten run when it took us to fourth in the table,” he said.

“In terms of points, we’re (level with) fifth and we’ve a good game against Birmingham to kick-start us off again after a little break.

“It’s going to be a good test, but we need these games if we’re going to be up there challenging for the play-offs or promotion.

“It (a win) lays down a marker.

“It’s a difficult place to come to; no-one likes coming here. And it would give the lads a bit of confidence as well, knowing they’re playing arguably the top team in the division, and if we can beat them at home it will give us a big lift towards the run-in we’ve got of the four or five games coming up.

“This month could determine our season, in terms of who we’ve got to play. It’s going to be a difficult month but if we’ve got aspirations of being in the top six we’ve got to take points off these teams.”

And Blake is desperate to play a more significant role after being limited to substitute appearances for the last eight league games.

His absence from the starting line-up coincided with the Clarets turning a dreadful start to the season around with an unbeaten run in the Championship and Carling Cup.

He admits it was hard to change the team during that period, but hopes to quickly work his way back into manager Owen Coyle’s plans.

“It would be nice to have a start soon. I’m getting a bit restless and a bit frustrated,” the 32-year-old admitted.

“While I know I can still do a good job it’s just a bit frustrating knowing you want to be on there, but the manager can only pick 11 players at the end of the day, so I’ve got to keep pushing and get my chance and take it.

“You need competition for places and that’s what it’s all about. If you look at the four or five strikers that Birmingham have got, people aren’t going to be happy if they’re not playing, but you need competition.

“It’s more a squad game now as well. I don’t think you can win your league with just 11 players picking themselves all the time.

“When you’re a manager and you know your four strikers can all do a job you’re going to rotate a little bit if they haven’t scored in two games or you haven’t won a game or you’ve drawn a couple.

“It’s nice for a manager to have that problem.

“When I was left out of the team the lads went on a nine-game unbeaten run, so it’s virtually impossible to leave those players out unless there’s a suspension or injury.

“You can’t expect him to change the team too much.

“Chris Eagles got suspended and we won the games, so it’s been a bit frustrating for both of us.

“But there are a lot of quality players who aren’t even in the 16.

“I think I’m good enough to take the chance and I have to do that when it comes.

“I’ve just got to be patient.”

Nevertheless, he admitted that his patience risks wearing thin the longer he is on the fringes of the starting 11, and suggested his second spell with Burnley could end in the January transfer window, just 18 months into a three-year contract, if his situation hasn’t improved.

“I’m not getting any younger; I need to be playing games,” he said.

“I’m frustrated that I’m not playing but it’s one of those things that I have to knuckle down and get on with.

“I’m not happy obviously. Maybe in a month’s time I might have to readdress it. I need to be playing.”