Saints haven't won in the league since September 20 after a fifth consecutive defeat on the Premiership road at Kingsholm on Saturday.

An incisive and clinical Gloucester beat them 33-10 to go top of the table for 24 hours, while Saints remained 10th, but Gray believes the clash showed Northampton aren't far off the higher echelons of the domestic scene.

Gray said: "It really is just the little things that is the difference between them and us, like keeping the ball when we are in their 22. We were in their 22 a lot in the second half and we just gave the ball straight back to them and they kicked it out. If we hang onto the ball, then we have got more opportunities to score more points."

Although Saints conceded four tries in their heaviest defeat of the season, Gray has faith in their defensive system.

"There was their first try where they went straight through," said Gray. "I'm not too sure what happened there in the backs, one of the boys put his hand up and said he made the mistake and that's that. He will learn from that.

"But there were a couple of times where our defence held out. They went from side to side and we held them out, so our defence is there. It is just that everybody's concentration has to be up.

"I don't think the difference is that big, it is just little things and if we get those little things right on the day we can beat them. We'll find out when they come to Franklin's Gardens."

Gray was playing in his first game since returning from duty with Scotland, where he came off the bench in all three games.

And the openside flanker marked his return with Saints' only try of the game.

Saints boss Jim Mallinder was frustrated by inconsistencies in the refereeing at Kingsholm, with the visitors again on the wrong side of the penalty count, but Gray felt the breakdown was a fair battle.

"We contested the breakdown quite well," said Gray. They were very good at the breakdown, quite physical. We got our fair share of quick ball."