Andy gray says players will feel the pressure

By Rob Virtue on April 17, 2008 8:59 AM |

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Andy Gray,
charlton

THE RELIEF on his face after getting his first Charlton goal at the weekend was plain to see – but Andy Gray admits he is still feeling the pressure.

After 13 games without a goal since signing from Burnley for £1.5million, Gray was delighted to head in the second-half equaliser against Southampton on Saturday.

However, with promotion a long shot, Gray says all the first team are fearing the chop in the summer after Pardew warned he was bringing players in.

“There’s so much talent in the dressing room, so we have to look at ourselves and see where we’ve come up short,” said Gray. “If we don’t go up this season we need to have a good push for next season.

“The target for this club at the start of the season was to go up and if we don’t achieve that then obviously people will be looking over their shoulders.”

It’s been a tough spell for Gray, whose last goals before the weekend were also at The Valley – but for Burnley in a 3-0 reverse for the Addicks in December. His reputation in the Championship persuaded

Pardew to splash out on the striker to help fire the club to promotion. But with the goals not coming, he feels he has failed so far at Charlton. “It’s the longest spell in my career I haven’t scored as a striker,” he said.

“But there’s nothing you can do about it, you’ve just got to keep trying. I’ve not really been missing chances and it’s nice to get one and see it go in.”

Gray has been in and out of the team since joining Charlton in January. And, while he said his lack of games has been frustrating, he admits he only has himself to blame. “I’ve not been scoring goals and hence I’ve not been playing,” said the 30-year-old.

“As a striker, that’s what you should be bringing to the team. It’s just one of those periods I’d like to forget. I want to move on now and score more goals.”
rob.virtue@wharf.co.uk