Archie Gray not afraid to learn from mistakes after netting first career goal

Gray took the advice of his father, the ex-Forest forward Andy Gray, in the aftermath of his error at the City Ground.

19-year-old Archie Gray has relished a recent run in midfield for Spurs. Pic: AP Photo/Ian Walton

Tottenham midfielder Archie Gray is eager to keep learning from mistakes after his first professional goal earned a much-needed 1-0 win at Crystal Palace.

Gray was at fault in a 3-0 loss at Nottingham Forest a fortnight ago when he was dispossessed on the edge of his own penalty area, but was backed by boss Thomas Frank afterwards.

The 19-year-old has since retained his spot in Spurs’ midfield and rewarded that faith at Selhurst Park with a close-range header to score for the first time on his 112th professional appearance.

“It was a difficult game for me at Forest,” Gray reflected, after he helped Tottenham to only a second win in their last nine Premier League matches.

“The mistake was obviously my fault but that game I just tried to get on the ball as much as I could, tried to be positive and forget about the mistake.

“Obviously (this) still wasn’t the best game, it was a scrappy game but to get a goal is something every child dreams of.

“We knew if we could keep a clean sheet, we would get the chances to try and get a goal. Our back four was amazing and everyone to be fair with the mentality.

“I just found myself in the right place at the right time and it was probably Richy’s (Richarlison’s) flick which did all the work. I was stood what two-yards out from goal?

“I didn’t really have much to do, but it’s an incredible feeling.” 

Gray comes from a family with rich football tradition and leaned on the advice of father and ex-Forest forward Andy Gray in the aftermath of his error at the City Ground.

After Gray spent the majority of debut campaign at Tottenham as a makeshift centre-back, the highly-rated youngster has relished his recent run in midfield and is eager to keep developing.

He told SpursPlay: “My Dad has always said to me after you make a mistake, just go get on the ball and don’t be scared.

“That is something that stuck with me and I will never go hiding for the ball or anything like that.

“It is not something I have ever done or will do. If I make a mistake, that is football sometimes and I have just got to learn from that. I have and I’ve been working on training every day to put it right.”