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Ivan Toney had a message for the Premier League after his Brentford comeback: “I’m back!”
The striker spent eight months on the sidelines as he served his ban for betting offences, but made it very clear in the buildup to the clash with Nottingham Forest that he was ready to be back.
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He wasn’t lying.
It took the 27-year-old just 19 minutes to find the back of the net against Forest as he converted a well-taken free-kick to make it 1-1.
While his effort was sneaky after he moved the ball to the right, it showed just how instinctive Toney’s eye for goal really is.
As part of his goal celebration, the striker appeared to gesture that he would be staying with Brentford as he pointed to his chest and then to the floor, something that would be very good news amid ongoing links with a move to Arsenal.
What’s even more important is the role that Toney played in the 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest.
Since helping Brentford into the Premier League, Toney has scored 32 goals in 68 games for the club, a record that equates to almost one in two.
That win was Brentford’s first win in six Premier League games and meant that they moved six points clear of the relegation zone.
If Thomas Frank’s side are to avoid the drop, they’ll need their most important player firing on all cylinders.
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Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Toney said: “It means a lot. It’s been a long time coming.
“I manifested this during the time that I was out and I’m here now and I’m just buzzing to be back scoring and playing with the team.
“I manifest things like this and before I left my house I thought ‘we’re winning today and I’m scoring’ – I made that happen and it feels good.”
Toney added: “I’m grateful to be back playing with the lads. I’ve missed it so much – the fans and everyone – yeah, I’m back. I’m back.”
Discussing the win over Forest, Toney said: “We needed it and we got it. We worked hard today and we’ve been grafting – even though we’ve been losing we’ve been grafting and the boys fully deserved it.
“Hopefully this is our time now.”
Toney also spoke with talkSPORT after the game and revealed how he killed some time as he eagerly awaited his comeback on Saturday.
He said: “I wasn’t really nervous, just excited. I just wanted half-five to come quicker than normal – it was a long wait!
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“I woke up at seven as well, so I watched a bit of The Traitors and so I was ready to go – I’ve been deep in that so it’s been good.”
Thomas Frank also hailed his display, saying: “It’s a boost to have Ivan back but we showed great character to stay in the game.
“He was impressively good. He’s been out for eight months. He’s a man for the big occasion. He doesn’t feel the pressure. He played the football he loves. He was ever-present with his link-up play.”
Of course with over a week left of the January transfer window fans will be nervous at the prospect of Brentford losing their star man, but according to Gabby Agbonlahor, they can’t afford to lose Toney when they’re so close to the drop zone.
He told talkSPORT: “It’s a bit too close for comfort.
“100 per cent they’ll get £60million in the summer – I don’t think they’ll sell him for less than that in the summer.
“If you’re the Brentford owner you’re asking ‘what does it mean to stay in the Premier League?’ and ‘how much are we going to lose?’ They’ve got to keep him.”
Jason Cundy added: “If they were 10th or 11th I think they might be prepared to listen to a few offers.
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“It makes financial sense to keep him because they’re too close to the relegation zone.”
While transfer speculation will continue to swirl, Toney is focused on the rather wild night of celebrations that lie ahead – or not.
Asked by talkSPORT how he’ll unwind, Toney said: “I can’t really eat after games. My appetite isn’t really there so we’ll see what happens.
“I’ll probably get a snack from the cupboard – some salt and vinegar crisps, I’ll eat about six packs.
“I’ll feel the toll tomorrow but for tonight salt and vinegar crisps will be good.”
Brentford now have 11 days until their next Premier League clash – a trip to face Tottenham.
For Toney, the task will be on building up his future and making sure that he’s ready to fight Brentford’s corner during a pivotal few months for the club.
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