Saints “coming to the end” of tough spell - Gray

James Gray believes St Albans City are “coming to the end” of a tough spell on and off the pitch.

Three points from 15 in the Vanarama Conference South, an FA Cup exit marred by off-the-pitch controversy and an admission price nightmare for a Herts Senior Cup tie summed up the past five weeks at Clarence Park.

But Saturday’s win over high-flying Basingstoke Town, excellent debuts from loanees Charlie Smith and Ian Gayle, from Luton Town and Dagenham and Redbridge respectively, has provided a light at the end of the tunnel.

“I’m really pleased; it has been a tough couple of weeks,” Gray told Saintsnet.

“We’ve had all sorts thrown at us but it feels like we’re coming to the end of it now. Hopefully we can get on a decent run going into Christmas.”

The joint manager also revealed that a team meeting last week, where he and the players could air any grievances from the season so far, has brought a new level of “togetherness” from the squad.

“We had a heart-to-heart with the lads. I felt some of them were on easy street; we need the players pushing each other and taking instructions from the managers on to the pitch, no matter whether you think it’s right or not,” he said.

“That’s what happened [against Basingstoke] and all the lads put in a great shift – it was a great three points away from home but we’ve got to go and do it [in consecutive games] and get some consistency.”

A win against Farnborough tonight at Clarence Park will go a long way to ending this current “tough spell” for good. Kick-off is 7.45pm.