Ivan Toney returns to action after an eight month absence due tobreaching FA betting rules, but the striker will be raring to go, as Brentford host Nottingham Forest in a huge game in the Premier League. The Bees are on a run of five defeats in a row in the league, and weredumped out of the FA Cup too, but Thomas Frank will be boosted by the return of his star striker.
Brentford have averaged a point per game, having played half of their 38 Premier League games this season. Sitting in 16th place, Brentford are three points above the relegation zone, with a game in hand against the champions Manchester City.
Brentford’s five wins this season have consisted of three home wins: against Luton, West Ham and Burnley, and two memorable away wins against west London rivals Fulham and Chelsea. Whilst bragging rights over rivals can keep the fans onside, performances of late have been below par and the concerning decline has Brentford well and truly mixed in the relegation battle.
Nathan Collins and Mark Flekken were brought in to add some more depth to the defence, with David Raya joining Arsenal on loan. Kevin Schade’s loan move was made permanent in addition to the return of Neal Maupay on a season-long loan from Everton boosting the forward line, with Toney still sidelined.
Brentford’s two most important players this season in Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo are currently unavailable. The former is representing DR Congo at AFCON and will be available if and when his nation are eliminated. Mbeumo has not featured since the beginning of December, with his injury keeping him out until at least February, this makes Toney’s timely return even more important.
Frank’s system has largely been successful, since promotion in 2020. In their previous two seasons they have finished 13th and 9th in the Premier League, but much of that success was down to the goalscoring form of Ivan Toney. With Brentford missing two strikers, this is an ideal time for Toney to be welcomed back into the fold.
Toney is available for selection for the next game against Nottingham Forest, but the pressure will be on him to hit the ground running as Brentford enter a tough run of fixtures in the next couple of months. Toney has been keeping himself fit throughout his ban, training with the first-team as he will still have an eye on making the England squad for the Euros in the summer.
Toney’s future was up in the air whilst he was not playing, it was reported that Chelsea and Arsenal held a keen interest in his services, but Brentford refuted their London rivals’ interest by slapping a £100M price-tag on their most prized asset.
Frank confirmed they could not afford to sell Toney this window, despite the healthy profit they would make on the former Peterborough striker. Toney’s 32 goals in 68 Premier League appearances are too crucial to Brentford as they look to beat the drop.
Despite Everton and Nottingham Forest’s off the field financial battles, it is imperative that Brentford get back on track. The fairly reliable home form has dwindled, the summer signings have not looked too promising and the reality of relegation is staring Frank’s side in the face. Toney’s return to the pitch could be the catalyst to lift morale and help the west London side manoeuvre their way up towards the comfort blanket of mid-table.
