TONEY COULD BEE A GONER
Frank unsure if Ivan ready to walk
THOMAS FRANK concedes he does have the final say on whether Brentford strike ace Ivan Toney stays or goes this January.
NOT
The absent England forward will be free to play again on January 16 when his eight-month FA ban for breaking football’s betting rules finally comes to an end.
However, despite reiterating that he wants him to see out the remainder of his Bees contract, Frank admits that Toney’s future – amid intense transfer interest from the Premier League elite – is out of his hands.
Yes, the Brentford head coach will give his input.
But ultimately one of the biggest and toughest calls in the Bees’ two-and-abit years in the top flight will come down to the money men at the club’s summit.
According to Frank (inset), whose troops travel north to Nottingham Forest today without a win in four games, that call lies with Brentford’s millionaire owner Matthew Benham and director of football, Phil Giles.
The Danish supremo smiled and said: “To be fair, I really like to control Matthew. I think that will be difficult but I will do my best.
“But yes, it’s Matthew and Phil, those are the two that in the end will take the final decision.”
Brentford’s league position could be a factor too. If the club is struggling at the wrong end of the table in the new year, then Toney may be forced to sit and fight relegation.
Yet whatever happens as the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea and others prepare for an £80million-plus bidding war, Frank insists any move will be in Brentford’s best interests.
Put it this way, he has total faith in Benham and the board to get the call right – as they have done so pretty much without fail during the club’s remarkable rise up the ladder.
Indeed, Frank need only look along the M4 at nearby Reading’s current financial chaos to make the point.
Not so long ago, the Royals were flying high in the Premier League.
Now they are in the third tier and on the very brink of bankruptcy.
As long as Benham is at the helm in
Hounslow, Frank could never envisage his minnows going under with cash troubles, and simultaneously falling down football’s pyramid.
He added: “Of course, one of the reasons why we are so well run is because of the three of us and (technical director) Lee Dykes...we take decisions together.
“You ask how can we avoid doing a Reading? Well, not having a change of owner would be one easy way.
“I hope Matthew will stay here forever. Please Matthew!
“I think that it’s about having both common sense and the respect for this league. Never taking anything granted.
“You are not established in the Premier League until you’ve been there at least a decade.”
And there is good news for anyone concerned about Toney, 27, not being in peak physical shape when he eventually returns.
The FA has given its seal of approval for the striker to participate in behindclosed-doors friendlies to help him regain match sharpness.
“Yes, it’s possible for him to play these games and that will help him and help us,” said Frank. for