SOMEONE, probably Sam Goldwyn, famously said that nostalgia is a thing of the past.

I suppose I'm as guilty as any of looking at things as they used to be, particularly in football, through rose-coloured glasses.

So I was interested to read about new Wales manager John Toshack "having the nerve" to leave out the brilliant Robbie Savage.

Apparently John rang the player to say he wasn't including him in his squad of 24 players for the next two World Cup qualifying games.

This upset Savage so much he announced to the world that he was packing in international football but adding the rider to the effect that 'as long as Toshack is still the manager'.

I can never imagine Alf Ramsey even ringing up a player. Once, when the great Bobby Moore was leaving for home after yet another victory at Wembley, he said "See you next time, boss," to which Ramsey replied: "If selected."

I'm still old-fashioned enough to think that even David Beckham should be waiting for the call from the FA that he is in the next squad.

Nothing should ever be taken for granted at any level, and particularly at international level where the manager has a wider selection.

Robbie obviously thinks he is in the top 24 and possibly he is on ability, but let me assure you the best footballer doesn't necessarily make the best team member.

Personality, mixability and team spirit all come into manager's minds when he selects his group.

John Toshack has been accused of bringing personalities into it and, of course, he has and why shouldn't he? He obviously doesn't want Savage around the place for whatever reason.

Some clues were given by the player himself. After telling us he should be there, he carried on to inform us that since the new manager arrived things like room service in the hotel had been stopped. How tragic.

Did it ever cross his mind that some of the players may have been ordering things which they shouldn't have and running up bills which the Welsh FA were not prepared to pay?

I suggest that in years to come, when the two men's careers in professional football are put side by side, Toshack, who was a hero at Liverpool, managed successfully abroad for many years and who took little Swansea into the top flight, may just rank a little higher than the pony-tailed prima donna.