‘Matured’ Patrick Bamford ‘unlucky’ with England snub but Leeds striker’s omission the right call, talkSPORT told – ‘He needs a lot of chances to score’

Tony Cascarino has told talkSPORT he has 'sympathy' with Leeds striker Patrick Bamford over his omission from the latest England squad.

But Gareth Southgate's decision has been backed, with claims the 27-year-old 'needs a lot of chances to score goals'.

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Bamford, who has never received senior international recognition, has starred for Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds side on their return to the Premier League.

The frontman had been widely tipped for a first call-up, but Southgate instead turned to Ollie Watkins when he named his latest Three Lions squad for upcoming games against San Marino, Albania and Poland.

The England boss admitted it was a close call between the two players but opted to give Watkins his first senior call-up having hugely impressed since joining Aston Villa from Brentford in the summer.

Leeds fans have naturally been unhappy with the decision, especially after watching Bamford take his tally to 14 Premier League goals on Friday night as he helped Leeds to a 2-1 victory over Fulham.

Strike rival Watkins, meanwhile, has ten league goals this season.

talkSPORT host and pundit Cascarino has admitted he is one of the many critics Bamford has proven wrong this season, having branded him 'just a decent Championship-level striker' in the past.

And while he admits Bamford is unlucky not to have received a call-up as a reward for his form, the ex-Chelsea striker insisted you can't really argue with Southgate's decision.

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“I have a little bit of sympathy for Patrick Bamford,” said the Weekend Sports Breakfast host.

“It feels like he’s overachieving at Leeds, and what I mean by that is Patrick is not the greatest finisher, he’s not the quickest and he’s not bad in the air, but I think he’s shown that he’s matured as he’s got older.

“I always thought a young Patrick Bamford was probably just a very good Championship goalscorer, but he’s proved me and a lot of other people wrong.

“I think it comes down to personal opinion. Gareth Southgate would have watched Patrick Bamford a lot and he’s got four more Premier League goals than Ollie Watkins

“Bamford’s a little bit unlucky. He’s had a great season, he’s kept scoring goals and Gareth has always said he’s pick players in form.

“But it’s a coin-flip of a decision and he’s gone for Watkins. You can’t really question it.

"He does offer you a bit more versatility, he can go across the lines and get to the wide areas. Bamford has that work-rate, but Watkins’ work-rate is also brilliant.

“There just isn’t a lot to choose between them.”

Tottenham legend Clive Allen, though, believes it was totally the right call from Southgate not to include Bamford in his latest England squad.

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And that's because he feels the striker needs to be more consistent in front of goal to earn a Three Lions call-up.

“Patrick has been outstanding for Leeds, but I'm not sure he's the consistent goalscorer to play at international level," he told talkSPORT.

“He needs a lot of chances to score goals in a Leeds team where he has been given a lot of chances.

“I just think there's other players at international level that perhaps can be a little bit more consistent goalscoring wise."

On the choice between Watkins and Bamford, the England boss said this week: “[Bamford was] very close.

"There’s a number of positions in this squad that have been really close calls and we felt we wanted an extra striker.

“We’re really pleased with Harry [Kane] and [Dominic] Calvert-Lewin and what they’ve done. Tammy Abraham hasn’t really been involved for Chelsea over the last four to six weeks.

“And both Ollie and Patrick in particular, their goals record has been good. We like the personalities of both. Ollie is a player we’ve had less interaction with in the past. It’s going to be good to get to know him.

“We like his pressing, the speed and the runs in behind. He’s got some improvement to make in linking the game, but in his first season in the Premier League at a big club, he’s done exceptionally well.

“That’s been a really close call because all the things I’ve said about Ollie I could have said for Patrick as well, so he’s very unfortunate.”