There has been no doubt since their promotion to the Premier League in 2021, Ivan Toney has been Brentford's talisman, but things have gone a bit pear-shaped in Hounslow as Toney was found guilty for breaching gambling regulations and given an eight-month ban at the tail-end of the 2022/23 season.

It was quite a blow for Brentford, as Toney was the third-highest goalscorer in the Premier League last season. However, as one of the best-run clubs in the league, there is very little panic around the Gtech Community Stadium, and here's why:

How can Brentford cope without Ivan Toney? - image 1 - student project

THEIR EFFECTIVE USE OF THE 'MONEYBALL' SYSTEM BY LOOKING FOR ANOTHER BARGAIN

Much has been made of Brentford's 'moneyball' approach of signing players for really cheap prices, developing these players, and then selling them for far more then they're valued.

The likes of Neal Maupay, Ollie Watkins and Saïd Benrahma were signed for a combined €11 million, and sold for a combined €73 million. Sniffing around the EFL for another bargain might be risky, but as they have shown with Watkins, who had an excellent season with Aston Villa last year, there's no reason not to be pessimistic about it backfiring.

How can Brentford cope without Ivan Toney? - image 2 - student project

MBEUMO'S CHANCE TO SHINE?

Despite being a winger, French-born Cameroon international Bryan Mbeumo was sporadically used as a centre-forward by manager Thomas Frank last season, and found some form in the last few weeks of 2022/23, with goals against West Ham and Chelsea, and a double vs Tottenham.

This also could be a risky decision, as Mbeumo has only scored 13 Premier League goals across two seasons.

How can Brentford cope without Ivan Toney? - image 3 - student project

MORE EMPHASIS ON THE SUPPORTING CAST?

Both Yoanne Wissa and Josh Dasilva were ever-presents for the Bees last season, and during the pre-season Summer Series tournament in America, Wissa was upfront in all 3 games, with different formations used every time. Wissa is the most likely to be upfront with Mbeumo, scoring 7 goals in each of the last 2 seasons.

After missing the majority of the 2021/22 season with injury, Dasilva was used as a centre-midfielder last season, scoring 4 times. Dasilva was used as an attacking winger during Brentford's pre-season loss to Aston Villa and scored, but he's more used to playing in the midfield, and therefore won't be seen on the wings that often.

Another one who will feature regularly is Vitaly Janelt, who scored 3 times last year, and like Dasilva, is more suited to a central position.

How can Brentford cope without Ivan Toney? - image 4 - student project

CRUNCH TIME FOR TRIO

Big things were expected of Mikkel Damsgaard, Keane Lewis-Potter and Kevin Schade, all of whom arrived at some point last year, but all 3 failed to score a single Premier League goal.

Damsgaard, mainly an attacking midfielder who starred for Denmark at EURO 2020, didn't contribute a goal or assist, but he has the backing of compatriot Thomas Frank. Frank revealed that he was excited to see Damsgaard, praising his form in pre-season after taking time to adapt to the English lifestyle.

Lewis-Potter arrived from Hull City last summer and his season was decimated with injuries. Only 22, he will want to prove a point after being sold for over €15 million, and only scoring once in the League Cup.

Kevin Schade only arrived in January, initially on-loan from Bundesliga high-fliers SC Freiburg, before Brentford broke their transfer record to permanently sign him for €25 million. Schade, who was called up to the German national team in March, has time on his side like Lewis-Potter and will also want to justify why Brentford splashed the cash on him. Schade will aim to give Frank more options to fill the void left by Toney, especially with the European Championships being in Germany next summer.

How can Brentford cope without Ivan Toney? - image 5 - student project

CONCLUSION

So it seems like Brentford will be able to cope without Ivan Toney, and will look to better last year's 9th-placed finish, which included winning both games against treble-winning Manchester City and big home wins against Manchester United and Liverpool.

Will they take the next step and qualify for Europe? We will have to find out....

Sources for stats & transfer fees: premierleague.com, tranfermarkt.com

Jude Clarke

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