March 10 2004

Julian Gray

Iain Dowie has asked Palace fans to back winger Julian Gray or risk driving him out of the club in the summer, by Joseph O'Shea.

The out-of-contract 24-year-old was barracked by some sections of the Palace support when he failed to chase a loose ball in the second half against Reading, criticism which his manager felt was unfair.

The former Arsenal winger, signed for £500,000 in July 2000 is free to sign for another club in July, but Dowie is hopeful of persuading him to sign a new contract.

On Tuesday, three days later, Dowie was still incensed that a minority of fans turned on Gray, and says they risk driving him out of the club altogether.

He said: "I have watched the video of Saturday's game and cannot honestly see where the criticism of his performance has come from. He was outstanding in the first

half. It was clear he was never going to get to the ball in the incident when the crowd started to get on his back.

"We want the lad to stay at the club and an isolated incident like this could affect his overall decision making when the time comes."

Gray angered supporters and Palace chairman Simon Jordan when he turned down a new contract last season, believing he could secure a move to a Premiership club.

But with Jordan holding out for the £500,000 he paid, trials with Leeds United, Charlton Athletic, Bundesliga side Hannover 96 and Blackburn Rovers came to nothing, and Palace refused to extend a loan spell at Cardiff City.

After returning to Palace, Gray won his place back in December and has been a key ingredient in the club's revival. Of the 13 league games he has played, Palace have won nine and drawn two, not bad for a side who had only won five of 22 games without him.

Dowie said: "Julian has been very much at the heart of what I have been doing at this club since my arrival so that tells you what I think of the boy as a player.

"He has got to be big and strong and rise above this, which I am sure he will. This club's future can be built very much around people like Julian so supporters should get behind him and the rest of the squad at an important time of the season."

Gray heard the criticism and admits it affects him on the pitch, but he prefers to maintain a dignified silence, rather than criticise the home supporters.