Robert Blake versus Nelson as naval commanders

Was Robert Blake a better naval commander than Nelson?

Blake is the preferred model for building and sustaining a navy, while Nelson might have the edge in a single battle.

Blake began from a harder position and helped establish the doctrine and training on which later officers relied. His strength lay in building a navy and creating standards that others could follow. With equal fleets and equal preparation time, Nelson might have edged a single battle because he excelled at breaking tactical orthodoxy. Over a long war, the preference shifts to Blake: Nelson's readiness to gamble and leave himself exposed could cost him against such an opponent.