In Focus: Mbeumo and Wissa shining with Toney in the shade

Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa are ensuring that Brentford continue to flourish, even without their star man. 

Last season's top scorer Ivan Toney is unavailable until January, as he serves a lengthy ban for gambling offences. 

Yet the Bees have started the new campaign with five goals from their first two games, as the supporting cast make the most of the limelight. 

Ahead of Brentford's match against Crystal Palace on Saturday, we take a look at how Mbuemo and Wissa have stepped up. 

Dynamic duo

All five of Brentford's goals this season have been scored by Mbeumo and Wissa. 

Cameroon international Mbeumo has proved to be every bit as reliable a penalty taker as Toney, with two of his three strikes coming from the spot. 

Meanwhile, it is Wissa who has replaced the suspended striker in the centre forward position, finding the net in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham and then again in the 3-0 win at Fulham. 

Though there were worries about how the Bees would fare without Toney, last season provided some signs that they could cope. 

The England international scored 20 of Brentford’s 58 Premier League goals in 2022-23 before his suspension brought his contribution to an end with three games remaining. 

Brentford would win all of those matches, scoring six goals, with three coming from Mbuemo and two being converted by Wissa. 

Frank verdict

Brentford's last seven games without Toney have seen Mbeumo score eight goals and Wissa six. 

The West Londoners' manager Thomas Frank was naturally full of praise for the pair, following their match-winning performances at Craven Cottage.

He said: "I think they are super players. Wissa, we knew, has always been a goalscorer. 

"He scored seven goals in the first season and seven in the second in the Premier League, for a player that didn’t play much, it's remarkable. 

"I definitely think he is best as a No9. He's got that nose for goals. 

"It means a lot that the last two games our strikers have scored five goals. I have been confident that Wissa, Bryan, Kevin [Schade] or Keane [Lewis-Potter] will score. 

"There's a good understanding between Bryan and Wissa. Kevin and Keane are adding to it. We have very good, fluid movement." 

Toney future

With Mbeumo scoring goals from the right and Wissa proving to be an able replacement for Toney as a striker, it is on the left of their attack that there is room for improvement. 

Kevin Schade has yet to score in 21 appearances for Brentford, while Keane Lewis-Potter has only one goal from his 14 games. 

If Frank can get one of those players firing, then an area which was considered a potential weakness will become a huge strength this season. 

Toney is too good a player for Brentford to not be counting down the days until he returns but Mbeumo and Wissa are proving that life goes on without him. 

With the suspended striker's contract due to expire in the summer of 2025, a transfer in January or next summer cannot be ruled out. 

Brentford are keen to extend his deal but they are being shown that they need not be afraid to cash in on their most valuable asset. 

How Mbeumo, Wissa and company perform until January could have a big impact on Toney's future.

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