Stuart Gray may be an unknown quantity now - but not for long!

Former Saints boss Glenn Hoddle believes his successor will quickly win over the doubters once they realise how much he has to offer.

Hoddle can identify with the initial feeling of unease having been told he had to work with Gray when he first came to The Dell.

But he quickly came to rely on the highly-rated coach and even tried to take him to Tottenham when he left.

Now Hoddle is backing Gray to be a success with Southampton as he leads them into the Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium.

He said: "I inherited him but I was very happy to have him there. It was a great asset to have someone who knew the club and the players.

"I learned the benefit of having two assistants during my England days and it fell into place very nicely. People had told me he was an excellent coach and we clicked straight away.

"t was no surprise to me that they gave him the job. In many ways that bit of time he had as caretaker manager was the best thing that could have happened to him.

"It was important for him to have that time and get to know what it is like to be the Number One and make all the decisions. He knows the club and that is a major asset and he has clearly learned a lot from the managers he has worked and played under.

"He has got a lot about him and in my opinion he is well equipped to do the job. I count him as a good friend now and we stay in regular contact.

"I really do wish him well in the post and I am sure he will do a great job."

Hoddle was speaking at last night's Southern Masters six-a-sides at the London Arena where Saints and Spurs both finished behind Arsenal in Group B of the Over 35's tournament.

Michael Gilkes put Saints ahead in the final second of the first half but Terry Gibson and Micky Hazard fired Spurs in front before George Lawrence salvaged a 2-2 draw.

Southampton went out in controversial fashion losing 2-1 to Arsenal thanks to a dodgy penalty within seconds of Lawrence cancelling out Ian Wright's opener.

Anders Limpar's shot rebounded off the backboard and skimmed off the floor on to the arm of Gilkes. Wright, so often the scourge of Saints in the past, scored from the spot.

Arsenal won the North London derby 2-1 but lost in the final to West Ham.