Kit Symons recalled Gray to the Palace team after returning from his loan spell at Cardiff City. The Palace official website wrote
"Julian Gray, back in the side following his loan period at Cardiff, was excellent on the left wing and caused the Nottingham Forest defence all kinds of problems. As early as the seventh minute he hit a great, curling effort from 16 yards which cannoned back off the bar."
Crystal Palace won the game 1 - 0. Gray was boo'ed at first but soon won the crowd over with a fine display.
"I was pleased with Gray's performance. Symons said after the game, "The chairman told me late on this week that I could play him and I'm grateful to him for that.
"He got a bit of a mixed reception to begin with but shortly into the game everyone got behind him and that was good to see.
"In my opinion, if he's wearing a Palace shirt and he gives it his all out there then he deserves the backing of the supporters, just like anyone else."