Blake: Give Us A Break
BY PAUL DEWS In Rodez
Yorkshire Evening Post

LEEDS UNITED striker Robbie Blake today dismissed notions of a mini-crisis at Elland Road and insisted the international break couldn't have come at a better time.
United's goalless draw against Preston on Saturday was enough to ensure that Kevin Blackwell's side will resume their Championship campaign at Southampton on Saturday week in fifth place in the division. But, after losing to Crewe and being held at home by Preston, Leeds have wavered in recent weeks and have missed repeated chances to cement themselves as Sheffield United and Reading's main promotion rivals. "Saturday was a pretty tough game and we have to be disappointed with the performance," conceded former Birmingham marksman Blake ahead of tonight's friendly clash against French side Rodez. "But we've only lost one in eight league games, so it's not that much of a crisis. "Hopefully the break will do us the world of good and we'll come back fresh against Southampton. That'll be a tough game, but they're the games you have to win if you want to be up there." Two weeks ago, United had a five-point advantage over their closest rivals, but after hard-fought draws against the top two, they failed to follow up against Crewe and Preston. Just six points now separate fourth-placed Luton Town from 14th placed Preston and the battle for the play-off spots is already starting to hot-up. Sheffield United and Reading are firm favourites for the top two slots and with Watford also finding form in third place the chasing pack are all jostling to stay in contention. "We've had a very tough month in terms of fixtures," said Blake. "We took points off the big teams, but then Crewe was very disappointing."Preston are a decent side, but we were still disappointed to pick up only a point on Saturday. "The way we look at it, is that we've got to hang in there. We're not even halfway through the season yet. "There is pressure on us to win games and that's what we have to do. "The tag of being Leeds United is also a big pressure, and we've got to start picking maximum points up. "When we go to Southampton we've got to win or make sure we don't get beat at the very least. "When you look at the league, there are hardly any points separating fourth through to sixth-bottom, and it is a very tight league. "But we have to get back to another winning spell, like we did against Derby and Southampton at home. "We had a five-point gap, but that's diminished now and we've got to go again." Blake's involvement has been restricted in recent weeks – he was dropped back to the subs bench in place of David Healy – but the striker will start tonight's friendly against Rodez Aveyron. "Saturday was difficult when I came on because they were having a decent spell," said Blake. "All I can do when I come on is try and sway the manager to pick me. I've just got to hang in there. Enjoyable"I'm over the fitness stuff now and was looking forward to the break and regrouping. "We're in France for a few days, we've got a game tonight, and it should be an enjoyable week."

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