If you can knock Solanke for not scoring a lot prior to last season, then surely you have to use a similar logic that Toney did f all in his time last season?
You also have to look at the teams playing style. Prior to last season Solanke played under defensive counter attack management. Under Iraola, they play from the front. In that system he flourished. And that's what we are trying to do apparently. But we're doing it with much better players around him.
Going back to the Toney comparison, Solanke's best is about the same as Toney's best season. Except it happened more recently and he's 2 years younger, giving him a better chance of repeating it more often or bettering it.
Their stats are interesting. They have both scored a similar no of PL goals (IT has 36 & DS has 29)
Solanke has more headers (5 vs 4)
Toney has 11 penalties vs 2 for Solanke (making open play goals favour Soanke more)
Toney 94 shots on target vs 86 for Solanke
It's all very similar tbh.
Discipline seems to be an area Solanke stands out. Less, yellows, less fouls, far less offsides.
Even the defensive stats aren't miles apart, contrary to the popular belief. But, like the reason for Solanke flourishing last season, that could be down to Brentford playing more defensive at times requiring Toney to defend more.
What I see it, it was a personality competition and age factored in. And I'm OK with that.
