New-boy Gray in call to Walsall team

Walsall new-boy Julian Gray has called on his new team-mates to pull together but has pledged to provide the ammunition for the strikers.

The Saddlers handed Gray his first appearance as a second half substitute in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Oldham – which left his new club 12th in League One. They failed to muster a shot on target at Boundary Park and Dwayne Mattis' early header was their only moment of note.

But the winger, who signed on a free transfer on Friday, has been brought in to add some creative spark and plans, given the chance, to provide exactly that.

Gray said: "Everyone knows what my qualities are and I know them myself, so hopefully I can show what I can do. I will let my feet do the talking. If I do what I can do on the pitch then that will speak for itself.

"But it can't just be me, we have to do it collectively. We noticed in the game on Saturday we have to do more. It's not down to the strikers to score goals or the widemen to create goals it comes from within the team.

"Hopefully we can do that."

The 30-year-old signed until the end of the season after being without a club for three months following his release from Barnsley.

But Gray hasn't considered extending his deal past the summer and just wants to focus on his immediate future.

He said: "Right now the most important thing is to get games and I'm here to do that, I'm not thinking any further ahead and it's just a case of taking each game as it comes.

"Walsall gave me an opportunity and I'm thankful to them and glad to be here. I never fell out of love with the game, you have to ask other people why I haven't been given the opportunities.

"I've always loved football because it's my passion and it's been very frustrating for me, I just want to get out and back playing. I'm still getting to know everyone and they are getting to know me, so it's going to take time.

"There are quite a few games left before the end of the season, so it gives me a chance to play and I can bring something to the team and help them push up the table.

"The manager is a good guy and has given me the opportunity, I want to do well for the club and the boss."

The wide man was thrown on just after half-time on Saturday, with the Saddlers struggling to get into the game.

But Gray was unable to influence proceedings, as the Latics snatched victory thanks to Pawel Abbott's 78^th minute header.

The former Crystal Palace, Fulham and Birmingham ace admits the Saddlers were well below their best.

He said: "It's a difficult place to come and I hadn't played for a while, so it was good to come on but I'm disappointed about the result.

"We weren't keeping the ball well and it was going back to front a little too quickly, so it was difficult to get the ball to get crosses and shots in."