Toshack is trying to force Bellamy out of Wales like he did to me, plus why I'd still take Theo Walcott to the World Cup

By Robbie Savage

Published 23:02 04/03/10

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John Toshack prodded me into quitting Wales and now I fear he's doing the same  to Craig Bellamy.

Despite being our country's captain, Bellers wasn't picked to face Sweden on Wednesday although my understanding is that he was available to play. The 1-0 defeat showed what a mistake that was.

Craig  is a world-class player, probably one of the three best performers in the Premier League this season. His goals against Chelsea on Saturday were magnificent

He has had his injury problems for Wales, but we simply can't afford not to include someone of his quality when he is fit.

Without him and poor Aaron Ramsey we looked painfully short of ideas against the Swedes and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Toshack once again blamed injuries and absences – the same excuses he has been using for six years now. More Tosh from Tosh.

He was asked afterwards, “surely this shows that Wales need all their best players?” He replied: “Some of them.”

Which presumably means Toshack is waiting for Bellers to take the bait like I did and announce his international retirement. I just hope Craig isn't as naïve as I was. He mustn't allow himself to be forced into it.

One look at the size of the crowd last night tells you everything you need to know about why Craig Bellamy is far more important to Wales than John Toshack.

Having moved from the 74,500 capacity Millennium Stadium because we couldn't fill it, we struggled to get 8,000 into the 20,000 capacity Liberty Stadium.

At this rate, all Toshack will have to do before our next international is rope off a pitch in the local park.

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All Theo Walcott did wrong against Egypt was try too hard.

The kid went all-out to book a place on the plane to South Africa but might now be stuck on stand-by.

Theo has been in and out of form for Arsenal this season and now Shaun Wright-Phillips has almost certainly moved above him in the pecking order.

But I would still take a gamble on Walcott because of his devastating speed.

No defender likes playing against that – not even the top internationals – and Theo has one over Aaron Lennon and SWP in that he can also play down the middle.

His lack of confidence and desperation to force the issue was mirrored across the whole team in the first half on Wednesday night and I'm afraid there was one main reason for that.

The Wembley crowd showed their disapproval for John Terry's behaviour and their booing definitely affected the entire team.

If I'd have been Wayne Bridge on Saturday, I wouldn't have shaken Terry's hand either but I can't agree that booing any member of the team you support is right.

Luckily Fabio Capello's substitutions were able to transform the whole game and hopefully we've now heard the end of the whole thing.

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