Andrew Blake (WPX Reserves)

My sauces suggest Andrew Blake might pick up a professional contract this week...

Blake is 19 (born in 1996). He's taken a fairly circuitous route to the Phoenix.

He was at the APFA in Christchurch for a couple of years before he left (not sure whether that was his choice or theirs) and went back to Hamilton (which is home) and joined Declan Edge at WaiBOP United.

Declan didn't play him much, and when the U17s came knocking he moved to Auckland for school to give himself the best chance of the 17s. Made it. Played quite a bit.

Then signed for Team Wellington when the Nix were stitched up with them. Did well. Was kept on when that relationship fell apart.

Seems to be a utility. Merrick has noted both his physical prowess and his versatility, and foreshadowed his signing in December:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/63734008/Brockie-set-to-leave-Wellington-Phoenix

Heard good things for a while about this guy.

Can anyone who has seen him play on a regular basis give us a rundown?

Will be interesting to see how he goes on the weekend, would guess he is probably taking JBS' roster spot for next season?

He was good at the start of the season in a variety of positions (midfield against TW, centreback and left back from momeory against Waitakere). He faded a little to the mid season and I didn't see to many late season games. I did see him arguing with Roofa and Gulley one game mid season where he was a little underwhelming. 

I think he's got some potential at this level. Hope he swims. He's got a bit of pace, skill and agression which is good. 

Have we decided that Doyle sunk already? I was expecting a bit more from him after the FU games.

He was bench last week, came on the week before and Ernie has been talking him up lately.

My problem is that there's an infamous internet cult leader who preys on young women in fantasy fanclubs called Andy Blake and I'll get them confused for a while.

"Hope he swims. He's got a bit of pace, skill and agression which is good"

That would scare me too, unless he was trialling with Cronulla Sharks.

Hi Smithy,

Andrew Blake made two appearances for Melville United in 2012, but I couldn't recall him getting a run for Waikato FC and in checking can't even find his name in a match programme.

Can you help with any pointers on when he played?

You are spot on Bruce. My mistake. I made the Declan-WaiBOP logical leap without checking my facts.

standard in In the Zone journalism :)

Seen him with Nix reserves at DF and at Kiwitea and playing for Under 20's v Fiji and he's always 'looked promising' but not really much more. Bit like Rufer IMO. How long do you allow a teenage kid to be 'promising'? I reckon Declan would say no more than two years.

I saw him at Kiwitea after Xmas at right half/winger. Has a ton of pace and good on the ball and looks a good prospect. Very much a proponent of one footed football ala Boyd and Fenton when they 1st started at the Phoenix. He badly needs to develop his left cause he has even less of a left peg than Boyd did when he 1st started out.

Not sure what his true position would be because he has height which is very unusual for wide men I think.

All the same guy.

Included in the match day squad along with Tamupiwa Dimairo, one of them will be omitted though

Missionary position?

Not surprised that Blake is in line for a call up. Seen him a few times for the WeeNix. He looks a good prospect....he's quick, has good feet and gets his head up. Good physique also. Like most kiwi youngsters he is far from the complete package but I'm sure Ernie could mold him into a useful player. He needs to specialise in one position IMO. Being a jack of all trades is not that desirable. He should pick a position and stick to to it. The future of NZ football looks great. There are so many promising youngsters coming through....and now there are pathways for them to progress

Back up for A Rod/Hicks and nothing else IMO. Unless he steps up and turns it on - why fckn don't they? Just go for it when you get a chance ffs.

His name has been on the official team cards for weeks now, I always figured that meant he must have been an official first team member.

Sounds promising from the various reports on here.

Re: Doyle I'm not worried about his lack of game time over the last while, this seems to be a trademark of ernie (and a lot of managers around the world) with young/new players: give them a few starts initially, let them play, then after an injury or slight loss of form reel them back in and keep them on the bench/reserves to carry on with development, before putting them back into the first team when another player becomes unavailable or loses form. They often come back stronger and much more consistent.

He did it with Krishna, Fenton and Rodriguez since he's been here and that all seems to be working out. 

Raheem Sterling would be a good example of an overseas manager doing something similar.