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Robbie Blake is determined to overcome his penalty heartbreak by displaying the kind of bravery which has long been the hallmark of Bradford's two years in the Premiership.

City fans' favourite Blake was one of the club's villains on Saturday, missing the first of Bradford's two spot-kicks - with Benito Carbone the other culprit - in a 2-1 defeat at Everton which confirmed the Bantams' relegation to the First Division.

Blake could have given Jim Jefferies' side a priceless 2-1 lead at the time, and with it the possibility of another few days of top-flight salvation, but his penalty was saved by Paul Gerrard.

The Bradford striker was willing to take the second, but Carbone decided he would be the man for the job, only for the Italian to blaze his effort over the bar as City crashed out of the Premier League.

Now there is nothing left for Bradford to play for in their final four games other than pride, although Blake would like the chance to atone for his devastating mistake.

The 25-year-old has vowed to place himself on the spot - so to speak - should City be awarded another penalty in their Valley Parade clash with Liverpool on Tuesday, as he is willing to shoulder the responsibility.

"We're all bitterly disappointed at being relegated and feeling extremely low," said a downcast Blake. "But it was only a matter of time before it happened if we're being honest.

"All we can do in the remaining four games is pick ourselves up and try and win them all to help us build in the summer ahead of next season.

"But as for the present, I'm gutted I missed that penalty. If we had gone 2-1 up then I know the game would have ended differently. I don't think Everton would have won it.

"It's heartbreaking to have missed it, but then better players than me have missed penalties in the past. It's just one of those things. I'm sure if I get the next one then I will put it away.

"I know I can't take too much of the blame for relegation on myself because the club have been going down for awhile, but teams have bounced back before and we'll be hoping to do that."

Jefferies is also willing to give Blake the opportunity for atonement, although at first laughed off the question as to who would be next in line to take a penalty.

"We'll talk about penalties before the game," smiled Jefferies, whose only major doubt surrounds left-back Wayne Jacobs who remains troubled by a hamstring strain.

"Robbie told me after Saturday's game he was confident enough to take the second one, but Beni thought he might be a bit down so he decided to do the job - it's just that that didn't work out either.

"I know Robbie hopes to take the next one. He feels confident enough to take it. Penalty takers are like that, when they miss one then they want to take the next.

"You are always better with a confident penalty taker, so if he feels up for it then I don't see why he shouldn't do it and hopefully he will score."

Jefferies, meanwhile, has been rocked by the news yet more players will have to be axed from the City squad in the wake of relegation.

The Scot has already off-loaded 12 players - either sold or on long-term loan deals - in the past three months in preparation for life in Division One.

With Bradford having spent £13million on wages this season, Richmond ordered an immediate £8million cut in the salary budget for next season, with Jefferies then cutting a swathe through his staff.

It was anticipated Jefferies would be allowed to build again this summer, but Richmond first wants more players to be shown the door before the Bantams boss can think about bringing fresh blood in.

"The likelihood has always been we would go down," said Richmond. "Because of that we have moved a number of players on in the last couple of months.

"Unfortunately, more will move on during the summer because life in Division One is very different financially to life in the Premier League.

"Obviously, the aim is to get back to the Premier League, but to do so without going bankrupt."