Newcastle United might have made a mistake with Ivan Toney

By Mathew Nash

In 2015, Newcastle United snapped up talented forward Ivan Toney from Northampton Town. The youngster had shown good form at Sixfields and Newcastle spent just £250,000 hoping he could go on to be a regular for the Magpies.

In his three years at Newcastle, he made just two first-team appearances. Loan spells at Barnsley, Shrewsbury, Wigan and two spells with Scunthorpe followed before he left for good this summer, joining Peterborough United.

It simply never happened for him at Newcastle and a move away was the best way to progress his career.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 5: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) New Signing Ivan Toney poses for photos holding a Newcastle Shirt during a photocall at The Newcastle United Training Centre on August 5, 2015, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

In the last few weeks, it has certainly progressed.

Last night Toney scored a hat-trick, including a stunning half-way line strike, as the Posh knocked Bradford City out of the FA Cup.

It was a fantastic display from the player and Newcastle fans must be wondering if the club gave up too soon.

The hat-trick saw his tally go to nine goals in his last eight appearances for the Leagu One side. With Newcastle hardly firing on both cylinders up front, perhaos Toney should have been kept on board.