davieG Posted 23 April 2017 Share Posted 23 April 2017 Demarai Gray says he is willing to play the waiting game to become established as a regular starter for Leicester City. The 20-year-old winger has become a big crowd favourite after some electrifying cameos this season. Gray has started three of the last four Premier League games, but was again on the bench for the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace and the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atletico Madrid. However, the former Birmingham youngster has started just 10 Premier League games since joining from Blues in January 2016 with 27 of his top-flight appearances coming off the bench. Gray admits he has found it frustrating but said he is willing to take his time and improve his game sufficiently by listening to manager Craig Shakespeare and watching his City team-mates like Riyad Mahrez and Marc Albrighton. Demarai Gray admits he has to be patient with Riyad Mahrez and Marc Albrighton ahead of him "It's what you'd expect really," said Gray. "It's been tough because when a team is winning, which they have since Shakey has taken over, I don't expect to jump in the team. "But he hasn't said anything in depth, just little things that all wingers need to work on. "At my age, consistency is important. As long as I can stay consistent I'm confident I can keep my place in the team. "There is always room for improvement. I'm still young and I'm still learning the game so I watch Riyad and Marc and the people that start every week. "I wouldn't pinpoint any particular thing but I've always got to improve and, when my times comes, do what I do. "Shakey always gives me the licence and tells me to go forward and do what I do. "That's the same for Riyad but we've both got to get back in and help the team because that is our job, we have to get up and down. "I'm confident to play whenever I'm called upon. I want to play week in, week out and I'm sure every player wants to. "When you're not playing, you get frustrated but the manager makes his decisions and I've just got to work my way into the team." It certainly has been an adventure for Gray since he arrived at the King Power Stadium. He joined a City side that went on to become Premier League champions and, this season, he has experienced Champions League football as well as the departure of Claudio Ranieri. "It's been a rollercoaster for the team and myself," he said. "There have been lots of ups and downs but we will stick together and we all believe in each other and know what we're capable of. "I think the best side of us is coming out now. We're back at our best." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALC Fox Posted 23 April 2017 Share Posted 23 April 2017 Great to hear. Hopefully he won't jump ship for more regular football. He could have a big future here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stadt Posted 23 April 2017 Share Posted 23 April 2017 Now we're practically safe I'd rather him get minutes than Riyad and Albrighton, he's got a lot to work on but he'll only improve if he's playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkidsFox Posted 23 April 2017 Share Posted 23 April 2017 13 minutes ago, Wookie said: Now we're practically safe I'd rather him get minutes than Riyad and Albrighton, he's got a lot to work on but he'll only improve if he's playing. You're probably right, but if Mahrez gets sold this summer he'll probably get his opportunity sooner than anticipated. I suspect Mahrez will start to get rested a lot if Shakey's resigned to losing him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxes_rule1978 Posted 23 April 2017 Share Posted 23 April 2017 Mahrez won't be here next season, and gray is sure to get more minutes and runs girly so, he suits the way we like to play perfectly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stix Posted 23 April 2017 Share Posted 23 April 2017 "It's what you'd expect really," said Gray. "It's been tough because when a team is winning, which they have since Shakey has taken over, I don't expect to jump in the team" "Shakey always gives me the licence and tells me to go forward and do what I do" Who was the tit that came on here telling everyone that nobody calls him Shakey at the club? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bayfox Posted 23 April 2017 Share Posted 23 April 2017 Consistency is the key. Explains why mahrez gets picked every week. Consistently shite. For months on end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Clender Posted 23 April 2017 Share Posted 23 April 2017 Marcus Rashford was on the bench today. We'll love DG more and more if he keeps us away from his normal sulky mardy type stuff yet informed of this positive vibe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxy boxing Posted 23 April 2017 Share Posted 23 April 2017 The club needs to be clever managing his development. He needs to be given every opportunity to stake a claim for a regular first team place along with giving him enough rest and recuperation time and will sometimes have to be taken out of the squad for his an good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onekeithweller Posted 23 April 2017 Share Posted 23 April 2017 20 minutes ago, stix said: "It's what you'd expect really," said Gray. "It's been tough because when a team is winning, which they have since Shakey has taken over, I don't expect to jump in the team" "Shakey always gives me the licence and tells me to go forward and do what I do" Who was the tit that came on here telling everyone that nobody calls him Shakey at the club? Obviously someone with some shaky info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tielemans63 Posted 23 April 2017 Share Posted 23 April 2017 If he can start making some better decisions when in possession and develop a bit more awareness of other player's positions then he is going to be one hell of a player. He's got all the other attributes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxes21 Posted 23 April 2017 Share Posted 23 April 2017 He needs to go back to playing how he did in our title winning season. Doing the simple things, being a team player instead of going for glory everytime. Him & Lawrence as back up next season would create some healthy competition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieakita Posted 23 April 2017 Share Posted 23 April 2017 Would be more than likely to think a right winger will leave in the summer it is up to him to keep the shirt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Almo-Fox Posted 23 April 2017 Share Posted 23 April 2017 Gray is right, showing à big carachter with respect and pushing for a starter , Hope mahrez get rested next mch and let Gray start and mahrez enter second half to replace Albrighton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Flair Posted 24 April 2017 Share Posted 24 April 2017 It's a complete myth that he's got a poor attitude, the reality is he absolutely loves playing football and is so eager to make a name for himself. I think we'll see him mature next season when he's given Riyad's gig full time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stadt Posted 24 April 2017 Share Posted 24 April 2017 2 hours ago, Ric Flair said: It's a complete myth that he's got a poor attitude, the reality is he absolutely loves playing football and is so eager to make a name for himself. I think we'll see him mature next season when he's given Riyad's gig full time. I don't think it's a complete myth, his arsey cryptic tweet(s) earlier on in the season suggest otherwise. Being amongst our squad will surely help him mature though as we've got so many fantastic professionals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sly1 Posted 24 April 2017 Share Posted 24 April 2017 Good lad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanSP Posted 24 April 2017 Share Posted 24 April 2017 of course he is. his favourite emoji is the egg-timer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surrifox Posted 24 April 2017 Share Posted 24 April 2017 36 minutes ago, Wookie said: I don't think it's a complete myth, his arsey cryptic tweet(s) earlier on in the season suggest otherwise. Being amongst our squad will surely help him mature though as we've got so many fantastic professionals. Agreed. The whole squad seemed to have the hump earlier in the season and the discontent manifested itself in differing ways - frustrated tweets in his case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redouane Posted 24 April 2017 Share Posted 24 April 2017 Move Riyad central, play gray and albrighton on the wings for the remaining games. Bench Shinjii and play Vardy up front Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanSP Posted 24 April 2017 Share Posted 24 April 2017 Just now, Redouane said: Move Riyad central, play gray and albrighton on the wings for the remaining games. Bench Shinjii and play Vardy up front Shinji and Vardy works to our strengths for majority of games. No need to accommodate Gray when there are players that are more beneficial to us for the most part. At the moment, Gray is an impact player and works well if he comes on in final 20-30 minutes when we're chasing a game or holding on to a game by playing on the counter when teams are attacking us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sm1 Posted 24 April 2017 Share Posted 24 April 2017 3 hours ago, Ric Flair said: It's a complete myth that he's got a poor attitude, the reality is he absolutely loves playing football and is so eager to make a name for himself. I think we'll see him mature next season when he's given Riyad's gig full time. I remember a few months ago Gary Rowett was on Sky talking about how good a kid Gray is and how willing he is to learn and improve. We certainly saw Gray look up and play players in more against Everton then he did earlier in the season. Like any player he needs game time to improve and i think he will, if Shakey trusts him to play within his game plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Posted 24 April 2017 Share Posted 24 April 2017 PR exercise due to latest bout of pouts and sulking! Fair play to the lad though - keep working on your game Demarai, you are going to be a world beater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnglishOxide Posted 24 April 2017 Share Posted 24 April 2017 Hopefully next season we have Riyad, Gray, Albrighton and Lawrence to pick from on the wings. But in the event we lose one of them it would be nice to have an athletic speed merchant like Schluup or Dyer to give us that extra option to stretch defences and reach the byline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZeGuy Posted 24 April 2017 Share Posted 24 April 2017 19 minutes ago, EnglishOxide said: Hopefully next season we have Riyad, Gray, Albrighton and Lawrence to pick from on the wings. But in the event we lose one of them it would be nice to have an athletic speed merchant like Schluup or Dyer to give us that extra option to stretch defences and reach the byline. Never understood the love for them. we already have one and he doesn't even make it to the bench. Gray combines technique and speed and fills exactly the "impact player" role. Let us instead invest in a quality CM. That's where we're in dire straits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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