West Ham may already have already had a boost in the post Quatar Premier League resumption.
The Hammers are due to meet Brentford in the second game back and after the shock news of Ivan Toney’s likely ban from the game over a lengthy period the striker could well be missing from the game.
It will be a major bonus for the Hammers should that be the case as so far this season Toney has scored 11 goals in 16 games following the 14 he grabbed in the club’s first season in the PL last term.
The Hammers can also count themselves fortunate that David Moyes turned him down as an option when he left Peterborough United for a fee in the region of £10 million,
He now faces a lengthy ban after being charged with 232 breaches of Football Association betting rules.
The Brentford striker, who last week controversially missed out on selection for England’s World Cup squad, is accused of placing scores of bets over a period of nearly four years between Feb 2017 and Jan 2021.
He has been given until next Thursday to respond to a charge that could see him hit with a months-long ban.
A statement from the FA read: “Ivan Toney has been charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of the FA’s Betting Rules.”
“ The Hammers can also count themselves fortunate that David Moyes turned him down”. Seriously? I think you might need to give your head a bit of a wobble. On the other hand, had we signed him he’d probably have scored 1 all season and be a contender for a loan to Peterborough in the January window. Is there a forwards coach out there who could get the best out of our Italian alternative? I’m sure there’s a more than good player in there. Not sure the current old boys club know how to do that though.
Ivan Otherbet. I reckon Toney would still be waiting for Moyes to decide if he’s ready to play in the Premier League. You can’t rush these things!
Signs of desperation ? Whilst the point about his absence is a very valid one it is surely an unfortunate state of affairs if we are relying on the absemce of key opposing players to be able to compete.
I didn’t say we need the absence of key players to compete just that it may be a boost in current circumstances Booze