Ally McCoist: Bamford England omission was a surprise but I don’t have a problem with it
Patrick Bamford’s England omission surprised Ally McCoist but the pundit does not have a problem with the Leeds United striker missing out.
Gareth Southgate had watched Leeds recently in matches against Chelsea and Aston Villa and Bamford was reported by Sky Sports to be in the England manager’s thinking.
However, he opted against the Whites number nine and instead called-up Ollie Watkins.
Ally McCoist shared his reaction to the decision when Alan Brazil asked the pundit if Southgate will have to phone Bamford to explain his decision.
On talkSPORT Breakfast, McCoist replied, “He probably might you know… I was a little bit surprised but I don’t have a problem with him bringing somebody like Watkins in.
“You can make a case for Bamford being more deserving but equally Watkins is deserving of an opportunity as well.
“As disappointed as Bamford may be, I don’t have a problem with it.”
Strange call
We feel Southgate has made a mistake by leaving Bamford out of the squad as he has been better than Watkins this season.
The Villa man is younger and Southgate may hold a long-term vision for the forward, but Bamford has earned an opportunity.
Bamford’s 13 league goals rank him joint-fifth in the division but Harry Kane is the only Englishman with more goals from open play than the Leeds forward.
His recent form goes against him as he has one goal in six games but Watkins has managed zero goals over the same period, despite coming up against Brighton, Newcastle and Sheffield United.
Furthermore, we feel Bamford’s hold-up play makes him a better option on the international stage.
He also offers tireless work when pressing from the front, so we are surprised he has been overlooked by Southgate.
Bamford can use his omission as added motivation for the rest of the campaign.
If he rediscovers his goalscoring form then who knows, he could make a late bid for the Euros.
In other Leeds United news, one player’s absence at Thorp Arch will have Leeds fans delighted.