Saints right back Ryan Bertrand has been overlooked for the latest England squad although ex Saint Luke Shaw has been included.

Roy Hodgson has included Manchester United's Luke Shaw in his latest England squad whilst ignoring the claims of Ryan Bertand, a decision that is just plain baffling.

OK we Saints fans are biased but surely England squad call ups should be based on form rather than the fact that a player plays for one of the perceived big clubs (and Spurs).

This season Bertrand has been outstanding for Saints with a series of displays both defensively and attacking from the left back position and an ability to adapt to playing either as the left back in a traditional back four or in a more forward role as a wing back.

It is these displays as well as the versatility of his game which has seen him start 25 of the 29 League games (3 missed through suspension) butalso score 2 goals and several assists.

meanwhile up at Old Trafford Luke Shaw has made a shaky start to his United career with accusations of being overweight and unfit as well as struggling to adjust to United style of play which requires him to get into more forward positions and deliver the ball with accuracy he has been restricted to only 12 starts plus another as sub this season with no goals or assists.

It is not even as if he has been a vital member of the England squad, he has made only 1 appearance this season for the Three Lions 66 minutes against Scotland in a friendly adding to his 3 caps at the end of last season.

I am not saying that Luke Shaw in not going to turn into the player he promised to be last season at Saints, but he is far from being the same player he was in 2013/14, his confidence is low and to be brutally frank he does not deserve to be in the squad ahead of Bertrand.

If Roy Hodgson wants to make the England squad a set up that is competitive then he needs to show that he has no favourites other than those that are in form and doing the business for their clubs, I can understand why an England manager would remain loyal to the more experienced players who are in the squad, but Shaw has to know that if he wants to play at the highest level then he needs to do moe than have a high transfer fee on his CV, he has to be playing regularly and playing well and not even his greatest fan could say that at present.

There will be other chances for Ryan Bertrand and when they come Im sure that Bertrand like Clyne will take it, but perhaps Nathaniel Clyne would do well to observe that moving to a big club is not always good for your career although it almost always allows you to swan around in the England training camp trading on past glories rather than present ones.

Photo: Action Images

leighsaint added 16:02 - Mar 19 Neither Baines or Shaw would get into either the Saints team or bench ahead or either RB or MT. RH is a complete and inter xxxx
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leighsaint added 16:03 - Mar 19 Should have been utter xxxx
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schatfield added 17:12 - Mar 19 players like Shaw will always get in ahead of Saints players regardless of form, because they play for a so called big club. It will never change. and the wheels keep turning round..
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corkcitysaint added 18:05 - Mar 19 Whilst RB fully deserves a call up, on a selfish note, I'm glad he's not in the squad. Avoids him picking up an injury. We need him for the run-in!!
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