Those on the Raymond Beach-Heys Wolfe bandwagon need to tell both players to take a long, hard look at themselves and accept it's their own fault for not being on the national team.

This was the essence of national football coach Kenny Thompson's admonition yesterday as he hit back at criticism for excluding the red-hot strike duo from last week's two international friendlies against Trinidad & Tobago and the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Montserrat.

He noted the Devonshire Cougars pair squandered their opportunity to represent Bermuda by not turning up for training to play against Barbados last December and must now suffer the consequences of that action.

"They have let the country down because they didn't answer the call to come to training, knowing they have the potential and ability to score goals.

"My position was that they didn't respond and other players did (respond) and it was only fair to those players that they (Beach and Wolfe) don't be included initially. I've said that to them and to you (The Royal Gazette) and that the door is open for them in the future - how far in the future, I don't know.

"What I've also said is that they must be ready whenever the call comes," said Thompson, stressing that any move to reinvite either player will be solely at his discretion.

Both players' names have been on several fans' lips in recent days given a flurry of goal-scoring heroics for their club in contrast to the Island's struggle to hit the net despite a plethora of chances against Trinidad & Tobago.

Beach has notched successive hat-tricks in his last three league matches while Wolfe - often the playmaker for his partner in attack - had one of his own.

This formidable union is one of the main reasons Cougars head the Premier Division going into the homestretch.

Among those voicing support for the marksmen to wear the national colours is Cougars coach, Paulos, who says Thompson "needs to swallow some pride and get them in the squad".

"He (Beach) should be on the national squad. He is the top striker in Bermuda. The national team needs a Raymond Beach and they need his partner Heys Wolfe with him," declared the man who goes by a single name.

"They want to be in the squad but he (Thompson) doesn't want them. He needs to be straight up about that.

"He told them he would look at them again after the Barbados games - because they went to him and apologised for not coming to training - and he never called them.

"He has picked a number of players since then and that shows he didn't want them," charged Paulos, adding that some of those picked for national duty are not "up to these guys' calibre".

However, Thompson pointed out it is exactly this mindset that makes top players feel they can do no wrong and it must stop.

"We do a disservice to the game, to the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) and also to players when we put certain players on pedestals. We help them believe because on any given Sunday they can perform on a high level that we also have to tolerate inappropriate behaviour.

"That time has come to an end. As the national coach I will not be continuing that sort of thinking - that we need players no matter what type of behaviour they exhibit.

"In this case, people around them need to help them face up to the irresponsible behaviour of not responding in the first place and missing their opportunity. It's as simple as that.

"For anyone to be excusing their behaviour only serves to undermine the improvements we're trying to bring about at national level," argued the national coach, adding it's not the first time either player has failed to represent Bermuda national teams after being chosen.

Beach, he charged, copped out at Under-17 level and Wolfe at Under-20 level.

Thompson also pointed out that the twosome's verbal attack on him during last Thursday night's second friendly did not assist their cause.

"Certainly the abuse and behaviour they exhibited at the match is not the way to go. If they still had an issue as to why (they were not included) they know where to find me," he said, terming their outburst "uncalled for" and "unacceptable".

While not condoning his players' actions, Paulos explained the strikers were "mad and disappointed" to be overlooked for the Trinidad & Tobago matches when so many others were summoned.

"They never approached the bench but yes they did shout something at him because they were hurt at being left out. Even now they would like to be involved.

"When they got into that confrontation with Kenny they were saying 'You're looking for strikers and the strikers are right here'. That's all it was."

Rejecting speculation that his players were unwilling to meet national team requirements, the Cougars coach said the two were willing to subject themselves to the necessary scrutiny to represent their country.

"They know the requirements of the national squad and they are willing to deal with them," he said.

On this matter, Thompson noted: "Everybody who comes into the national programme knows what the guidelines are. We put that across to every player."

While the national coach has no immediate plans to call up Beach or Wolfe, they are not completely out of the reckoning.

"I've spoken with one individual about at least one of these players - not for the Trinidad matches but for consideration for selection in the future.

"I'm not going to say there's a specific date when I will consider a player. It will be in the future - how long, I don't know. Only time will tell when I'm comfortable with offering another invitation."

Despite the friction over this issue, Thompson was highly complimentary of Beach's stunning hat-trick against North Village on Tuesday night.

"I saw the match. I was impressed to no end with not only his finishing but also with his reading of situations and his movement off the ball.

"I've always been impressed with both players but Raymond, in particular, has the qualities to perform well at national level."

Paulos maintained there's still time for the close friends to be included in the squad for the February 29 match against Montserrat. However, if not involved they are content to focus on their mission for Cougars; an assignment for which they are even more motivated given the current situation.

"They will continue showing what they can do and people will keep asking why they are not in the national squad."