Agreed. Don't understand the stick he continues to get from his time with us, all these years later. He was decent back up to Fletcher and STS in a very successful squad and done way more than either since.
I don't think he gets stick here. We were rumoured to be interested in him, maybe the season before he went to Brentford, and many cited his previous time here as a reason why they wouldn't sign him. Then there were the comparisons to Woodrow when Brentford paid a lot of money for him (considerably less than Darragh MacAnthony would have you believe I might add), and at that time, many thought it ludicrous that he might have improved since he left Oakwell.
Aye, i saw the potential in this lad and always said he'd play for England, just that i said it to misen and can't prove i said it.
Would have loved to see that Marcus Edwards called up from Sporting Lisbon. Cracking player he is, be surprised if he's not at a bigger club in the next 18 months
Very interesting comparison between Toney and Ashley Fletcher I've always thought and one that could be used in persuading promising young players that the fast-track to the top isn't necessarily the best. Clearly Fletcher has made plenty of money from the game but at 21 with them both coming off a loan at Oakwell he looked more like the one destined for a career at the very top. He took the money and a jump straight to the Premier League with West Ham and has never really fulfilled his potential. Toney, on the other hand, did the lower league rounds playing regularly, learning the ropes and getting a great body of work behind him, whilst physically growing into himself. He then made the jump to the highest level pretty seamlessly and didn't look out of place at all and is now reaping the rewards both financially and reportedly in terms of international recognition. I don't think I thought Toney was a bad player when he played for us and I was always comfortable with him as a sub, it was just that Fletcher at the time was better. There was one game though, and it came when we were at a very low ebb, the Johnstone's Paint game at high-flying Wigan where Toney gave a monster performance which was an insight into his future.
Only barnsley fans could write him off. Before his move to brentford "he wont score in championship" "if hes worth that whats cauley worth?" Those aged well.
Worth pointing out though Toney didn’t have the choice as he was already at Newcastle and was only let go when Benitez said he had no future at Newcastle. He also gradually moved up via L1, Championship etc. Think your point making though is valid.
Yes think Newcastle bought him from Northampton where he played a full season at a young age of 17 or 18 signed for newcastle then loaned to us and a few other before been sold. I always thought he had great potential here but looked very raw. Scored 5 goals in 6 premier league games so far and progressed year on year his england call up well deserved imo