Earlier this year I predicted that the next player to be capped for England whilst at St Mary's would be Jay Rodriguez, Rickie Lambert made sure that I was wrong, but I wasn't out on my view that Jay Rodriguez is a talent.

It was no surprise to see Rickie Lambert in the England squad for the friendlies against Chile & Germany, the big shock though was that he was joined by his Saints teammates Adam Lallana & Jay Rodriguez, Lallana of course was picked for the squad last season, but never got off the bench against Ukraine, this time he is likely to get game time in at least one of the games.

But the biggest shock was that Jay Rodriguez was picked alongside him, as I mentioned back at the start of 2013 I stated I thought J Rod would be the next England cap for Saints and I have been vindicated in that bold prediction, indeed earlier this week whilst predicting big things for Jay, some on the message board told me I was wrong and that Rodriguez was not good enough to play up front for Saints.

I said that I thought all that was holding Rodriguez back now was his confidence and although that was growing he needed the confidence of knowing that someone is showing faith in you, he didn't get that earlier in the season at Saints when he found himself dropped so that Osvaldo & Lambert could be accommodated in the same side, I said back then that this was not helping the Saints system and that it was getting results in spite of and not because of an unbalanced formation, when Rodriguez was restored to the side we looked better balanced and indeed Rodriguez himself looked the best of our attacking players in the way in which he seemed to have it all in his locker, again some would not have this only days ago, however it seems now that Roy Hodgson agrees with me about Jay's talents and in terms of England we have a player who can not only play wide, but could play up the middle as well, in International football its about more than just one talent, its about having multiple attributes.

I cant remember the last time Saints had three players in an England squad, we probably have to go back to the mid 80's when Peter Shilton & Mark Wright were mainstays & the likes of Danny Wallace and Dave Armstrong got called up.

Whatever the details though its an honour for the club to have to do so and perhaps teels us all something as several big name signings falter in the Saints squad, that our best players are those we have brought up through the ranks or we have bought at a good price and have a hunger to succeed at the Club.

Photo: Action Images

LJCmx added 18:45 - Nov 7 Many more will follow (Shaw, Ward-Prowse & co.) - England's future is in safe hands as long as Saints' Academy is called upon.
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TimSaint added 20:11 - Nov 7 Well pleased for the lads and hopefully they will treat us to a fine confident display on Saturday, to celebrate - unlike last night's showing !! Not 100% sure that J Rod is ready yet though, as he is not a clinical as he should be - but still, getting him in the picture can only do him the world of good. Having SRL and Adam there will be good for him too. As LICmx states, I am sure there will be more to follow in the coming couple of years, with JWP, Luuuuke and possibly Clyne as well. With all this extra focus on our players, I hope it doesn't attract any big bids in the January window - so from that respect, I would rather keep our players under the radar. 3 in the England squad - Nick I remember Danny Wallace's one and only appearance for England - against Egypt - and he scored in a 4-0 win - but don't think he got picked again after that. I watched the game on my portable black and white TV - and it had a manual tuner !! David Armstrong I think, had a bust up with Bobby Robson, so only got a few caps and one of those I think was whilst he was at Boro. He was quality and should have got many more - Saints Legend. I have his book - "The Bald Facts" :o) A good read and many things in there of interest including his injuries and poverty. See you all at SMS on Saturday

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ItchenNorth added 20:34 - Nov 7 Great news for the players and club. Lallana certainly deserves his shot again. Slightly surprised that JRod has been picked. I can only think its cover for Welbeck as their style is similar to a degree. I'm more surprised the Nathanial Clyne has not figured tbh !
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felly1 added 20:43 - Nov 7 Looking forward to hopefully seeing them all get game time. Agree with Tim Saint that maybe Jay is not quite England class yet but certainly has the potential . I agree that he has looked the best forward at the club recently and just needs a proper run in the team as our main centre forward with Rickie playing just behind him. Adam definitely has the technique to shine at international level it's just a case of where he would play and I guess it's Rooney's position that he would showcase his talents and his lack of real p[ace would not matter as much if he was put out on the wing .

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bstokesaint added 12:12 - Nov 8 The only surprises for me were that; a) JRod is potential cover for Wellbeck. Look at the players matched up on their stats. It should be the other way around. For me J Rod's only bad games have been when played out of position. He is a quality player. I'm glad Woy agrees. b) No Nathaniel Clyne!! Are there really two better English right backs in the country? Give me a break there isn't even one. At least Luke has to battlle it out with Cole and Baines, but who's better than Clyne? Answer: no-one. These are bright times indeed for Saints. It's fantastic testament to a mix of a massively successful academy and gambling on young English players instead of big established names and prima donna foreigners. And congratulations too to Rickie and Lallana. A lot of hard work has gone into their being picked for a call-up.

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