[Sport] 'They'll end up in a relegation battle if they get rid of Toney'

[TheWild ™]

 

Ian Westbrook, Beesotted podcast, external

What an unfestive Christmas for Brentford.

Two defeats, seven goals conceded, two scored and zero points.

The numerous injuries have caught up with us. Being forced to play midfielders at full-back can only work for so long, and missing both Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo is unsustainable.

A lack of confidence has also started to show. Heads went down when we fell 2-1 behind at Crystal Palace and nobody was vocally rallying team-mates.

Despite five successive Premier League defeats and seven in eight games, Thomas Frank is under no pressure.

Quite rightly, nobody is calling for his head and he is still one of the Premier League’s most secure managers.

Frank has worked miracles with a threadbare squad to get 19 points at halfway.

However, he now needs some help in the transfer window with some experienced signings – permanent or on loan.

After a similar run in 2021-22, Christian Eriksen arrived and that, coupled with some key players returning from injury, ensured we comfortably stayed up.

Ivan Toney now plays the Eriksen role with the return from his ban, but I believe more bodies are needed.

The Bees rarely sign players in January and Frank said last week that while the priority is a full-back, we may only bring in one other player.

That is a gamble on Toney hitting the ground running, and more importantly not being sold this month, and the other injured players returning.

It may well pay off, but while I do think we will stay up, it would be awful if we didn’t because of inactivity this window.

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes Brentford "will end up in a relegation battle" if they sell striker Ivan Toney during the January transfer window.

England international Toney will be free to return to action later this month once he has completed an eight-month suspension for breaching betting regulations, but he has been linked with a move away from Brentford.

Toney scored 32 goals in the Bees' first two seasons in the Premier League but they have struggled without him and a number of injured first-team players this term, with Thomas Frank's side currently four points above the relegation zone.

Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club: "If Brentford want to stay in the Premier League, they have to keep Ivan Toney or do everything possible [to keep him]. They've had a phenomenal couple of seasons under Thomas Frank but they're scrapping at this moment in time.

"It's five on the spin that they've lost, that's a bit of a disaster for them. But they'll end up in a relegation battle if they get rid of Ivan Toney."

We asked you what transfer business you want to see Brentford do in January.

Here are some of your answers:

Jimmy: Thomas Frank has got to be backed in January. A full-back is needed at least to fill the void left by Rico Henry's long-term injury. Keeping Ivan Toney is crucial as well. If anyone can drag the club out of this dismal run of form it's him.

Colin: Changes needed. We need a proper right-back. Been watching Coventry City recently they have the best attacking full-back I’ve seen in years. He has a great engine. Thomas Frank should go and get Milan van Ewijk, then find a left-back and go back to 4-4-2 - which he first started with - and get everyone playing as a team. Forget playing out and across from the back.

Andy: Keeping Toney a must, as much about having an extra body in the squad as anything else with Bryan Mbeumo out long term and Yoane Wissa at Afcon. Keane Lewis-Potter and Neal Maupay just don't offer enough threat. A versatile full-back is a must too. We have been playing with wingers and midfielders in there because of injuries - and it shows!

Bobby: Returns from injuries more important than signings. Having Kristoffer Ajer, Aaron Hickey, Josh Dasilva, Kevin Schade and Mbeumo back ASAP would be a start. Toney is a bonus. Could do with a full-back or two (on loan would be fine). No need to panic buy, but we should have signed a long-term Toney replacement in the summer

Kev: Not selling Ivan would do!

We asked you for your thoughts after Crystal Palace and Brentford locked horns in the Premier League.

Here are some of the top comments:

Crystal Palace fans

Simon: A win is welcome but it changes little. We will lose Ayew, a key player, to Afcon and we already have injuries, as well as the squad having gaping holes in key areas. We will need to recruit as well as giving fringe players a chance because, so far, it seems many aren't trusted. We need surgery in the summer, not just sticking plasters in January.

Ian: Finally we had both Eze and Olise playing well together and, with Mateta finally getting a run of games and showing his quality, we cruised this game. Time to start looking up.

Gavin: The stadium was stunned by conceding so early, but somehow not surprised, based upon previous results. However, the Brentford goal seemed to galvanise Palace into taking control. In short, despite a shaky last 10 minutes, Palace controlled both boxes, with Olise absolutely outstanding.

Mike: Much-needed three points but Parish must not use this as an excuse not get his wallet out in the coming transfer window. We are still woefully short of Premier League quality players. We need at least a defender, attacking midfielder and quality striker!

Brentford fans

Sam: Another performance where we were way off the pace. Thomas Frank forced to pick too many players out of position and nothing to offer off the bench when we go down. Ghoddos vs Olise was a massacre - how Frank let it last the full 90 minutes was beyond me.

Janet: Starting to get very, very nervy. Need Toney back desperately - it's never been more important to keep him at the club!

Peter: When will Frank understand that being brave is not being reckless. You can't build from the back when the defenders have no confidence on the ball. He has to go back to the basics and start again. There is no team at present, just individuals looking for a way to avoid the ball.

Gwot: Poor, poor, poor. That's all I can say

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/brentford