The return of the prolific partnership which helped power Bradford City into the Premier-ship has given Bantams fans an extra spring in their step this week, despite three successive defeats.

Lee Mills and Robbie Blake were undoubtedly the catalyst for City's superb run last season, the pair striking an immediate understanding once Paul Jewell put them together up front in the 1-0 win at Oxford in December.

City were tenth before the visit to the Manor Ground, but the next 14 league games yielded nine strikes for Mills and a further eight for Blake as City powered up to second in the table.

The arrival of Dean Windass from Oxford led to Jewell pairing him with Mills for the home clash with Sunderland in March before rotating his strikers during the successful run-in.

However, Blake's well-documented contract saga threw his future at the club into doubt, and when Blackburn offered £2.5 million it seemed only a matter of time before the 23-year-old would be on his way.

The saga dragged on for several weeks - a situation which did neither the club nor the player any good - before City took Blake off the transfer list and told him he had a future at Valley Parade.

Both players started last weekend's game with West Ham, which City lost 3-0, on the bench, with Mills coming on at half-time and Blake following just eight minutes later.

And, although neither scored, there were signs that the pairing could help create the clear openings which have so far proved elusive for City.

Their contrasting styles link together well, with Mills' presence up front often creating on opening for Blake to use his silky skills to worm his way through the defence.

I sincerely hope Mills can shake off his thigh injury and be ready to partner Blake in front of the Sky cameras when City entertain George Graham's Tottenham Hotspur because Jewell's side look a much more dangerous outfit when the pair play together.

Blake also impressed in the midweek reserve game at Everton, and I am sure that news of his double strike was warmly welcomed by City fans when they read about it in the Telegraph & Argus yesterday.

His second goal was a real classic from the 23-year-old. He ran directly at the opposing centre half before smartly rounding his opponent and drilling a low shot across Steve Simonsen into the bottom corner of the net.

And it is to be hoped that he can rediscover that scoring touch in the weeks ahead as City look to put the trio of defeats firmly behind them.

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