On-loan Manchester City star on becoming more rounded at Wigan Athletic - 'Never going to be like that...'
Charlie Gray has revealed exactly how his season-long loan with Wigan Athletic will enable him to return to Manchester City as a more complete player.
The 20-year-old midfielder has enjoyed a fine start to his Wigan career in the engine room alongside Max Power.
After making his debut in the 3-1 victory over MK Dons, Gray and Latics were brought down to earth with a 4-0 thumping at home to Stockport County.
However, last weekend's 0-0 draw at top-of-the-table Sheffield Wednesday - which saw Gray put in his best display so far - was a positive sign that things are looking up.
"It was a great team performance, and on another day we could have come away with more," acknowledged the Mancunian. "Everyone was disappointed with Stockport, there's no doubt about that.
"But the only thing you can do is make it right, and we played our game even though we were playing the top of the league away from home.
"I think we were the better team for most of the game, we created more chances, and it just wasn't our day in front of goal.”
Latics moved off the foot of League One with their point at Hillsborough, and Gray sees no reason why they shouldn't continue on an upward trajectory.
"Even though we were bottom of the league going into the game, we don't feel we're a team that should be down there," he said.
"We have the players to do a lot more this year, and we all know that. We certainly don't have the mindset of a team at the bottom, and we showed that during the game.
"The spirit in the group is very good, there's a nice mix of youth and experience, and hopefully that will stand us in good stead."
Gray admits he is embracing a ‘different’ kind of football at Wigan who, although Gary Caldwell is a possession-based manager, don’t see as much ball as his parent club.
"Obviously at City we're used to having the ball, 70 or 80% most weeks, and it's never going to be like that in League One,” said Gray.
"It's important to develop all aspects of my game, and not just the ones that come most naturally for me. Coming here will hopefully improve my game without the ball.
"It was always the plan for me to come out on loan this year, having played Under-21s for the last couple of years.
"I wanted to come out and prove I can do it in 'men's football', and I'm enjoying the challenge so far.
"We’re also a team that is very good on the ball and very comfortable in possession, and that's the way the manager sets us up.
"At the same time, it's obviously a very physical league, and I know I have to get used to that.
"Having a manager like this one, who you know will have your back even if you have a bad game or the team is struggling...I'm hugely grateful for that.”