English star Ivan Toney engineered a superb comeback against Nottingham Forest last night, scoring the opener and grabbing the Bees’ first win in 8 games. Thomas Frank’s side have looked like a team possibly set for relegation which makes a drastic change from last season.
Just last season Brentford finished 9th in the table and it’s clear Thomas Frank created an impressive Premier League side with superstar Ivan Toney bagging 20 goals last season. The Englishman was set for a big summer move having had a brilliant season but this was cut short after he was banned for breaching 232 charges against the FA’s betting rules.
Toney was also fined £50,000 by the FA after he admitted to the charges the FA released a statement that he will be banned for 8 months and allowed to train with his team mates after 4 months.
He released a statement on twitter shortly after he was charged in May last year: “I am naturally disappointed that I will be unable to play for the next 8 months. The written reasons for the Commission’s decision have not yet been published, so I make no further comment at this point other than to thank my family and friends and Brentford for their continued support”.
Now if we fast forward 8 months Toney’s ban has been lifted and just 4 days after he played last night against Nottingham Forest. The English striker showed Bees’ fans exactly what they had been missing after he smashed a clever free kick in between the wall in just the 19th minute and grabbed Brentford’s opener.
Thomas Frank’s side had been struggling to find the goals since Toney was banned, having only scored 8 in their last 8 they clearly missed the big man up top. What made his return special was also the celebration that really gave Brentford fans something to cheer about.
He actively pointed down in his celebration as if to say “I am not leaving this club”. The message was clear to fans and they couldn’t be happier to have their striker back. However, fans remain confused as in a recent interview on Youtube Toney stated: it’s obvious I want to play for a top club”, as he teased a move to a big club just three days ago.
Worries that Toney may leave mainly sprouted from the eager interest of Arsenal and Chelsea for this closing January transfer window. Arsenal have been heavily interested and it seems Toney is desperate to play for a top club in the league, having said: “Everyone wants to play for a top club that is winning titles.
Whilst the player’s future is yet to be decided he will likely still do most of his talking on the pitch and his goal against Nottingham Forest is representative of that. He recently said: “my main focus is to do what I do on the pitch, and let the background work do itself.”
