Right Back ....

[CP Gull]

.... where we belong.

No, it's not another of those threads ... It's actually about our inability to hire a decent player in that position. I actually had high hopes for Dale Tonge but he has been dreadful, in my opinion, this season.

So it got me thinking when was the last decent RIght Back that we had? Personally, I never rated Joe Oastler there either, wasn't he supposed to be a central midfielder though? I felt it was the right decision to release him.

Others have tried ... Danny Leadbitter, Danny Senda, Paul Hinshelwood, even Michael Brough and Tyrone Thompson (if memory serves me right) were given a shot ... but not one has been able to truly establish themselves in that position.

Cast your mind back to the Paul Buckle era and it was always the problem position back then too! Yes, Chris Robertson did a decent enough job when asked to there, but let's face it he was and is and out and out centre half, likewise Lee Mansell was never truly comfortable in that position either and yet he played there often enough.

Even going right back to our promotion season to League 1, we ended up having to borrow the Manager's son (Liam Rosenior) to fill in there as the likes of Lee Canoville and Reuben Hazell (another centre half) struggled to make the position their own.

Oh, to find another Andy Gurney or even better still a Jim McNichol!

We live in hope .....

[Bomber]

If my memory serves me right, although Liam Rosenior plied his trade in the Premiership for Fulham and Hull as a right back- he actually played as a right winger whilst he was with us.

Even more bizarrely during the Buckle era, Adam Smith- signed on loan from Spurs- played as a left back whilst he was here, but went on to play for England Under-21's as a right back as well as several Championship clubs.

[CP Gull]

If my memory serves me right, although Liam Rosenior plied his trade in the Premiership for Fulham and Hull as a right back- he actually played as a right winger whilst he was with us.

Even more bizarrely during the Buckle era, Adam Smith- signed on loan from Spurs- played as a left back whilst he was here, but went on to play for England Under-21's as a right back as well as several Championship clubs.

I make you right thinking about it, young Rosenior was deployed as a midfielder back then... and yes Smith definitely played as a Left Back for us. Certainly with the likes of Brian McGlinchey and Kevin Nicholson we have been better served on the other flank in recent years ... although maybe not so well in the season just gone (sadly).

[Richinns]

Trouble is CP - as much as Hargreaves and we need a squad overhaul - there are players sat on two year contracts who nobody in their right minds will take off our hands.

Tonge is a prime example but we also have (IMO) Benyon, Hawley, Harding and Downes (who I do not put in the same category as piss poor this year but he is clearly not fancied by CH). All these players will be at the top end of our current wage structure.

We are stuck with these guys unless a miracle occurs and someone else wants them.

[exilegull]

CP - I don't think any discussion regarding right backs of the last few years can be complete without mention of Lee Andrews.

Didn't Bedeau also have a run at right back as well?

[PlainmoorRoar]

Trouble is CP - as much as Hargreaves and we need a squad overhaul - there are players sat on two year contracts who nobody in their right minds will take off our hands.

Tonge is a prime example but we also have (IMO) Benyon, Hawley, Harding and Downes (who I do not put in the same category as piss poor this year but he is clearly not fancied by CH). All these players will be at the top end of our current wage structure.

We are stuck with these guys unless a miracle occurs and someone else wants them.

the only positive for the 2year deals is the 20-25% reduction in wages due to the relegation clauses, still bet Tonge won't be crying over his 80K going down to 60K

i'll have 60K to give away penaltys, not score them and defend dreadfully

[NA Gull]

Tonge is off to Hartlepool

[tommyg]

Tonge is off to Hartlepool

Does Tonge have the same agent as Pardew? I can't work out why Hartlepool would want him. Nothing against him personally but he's been atrocious this season.

[hector]

Yes - Rosenior was on the right of midfield for and Canoville was a key component of our promotion team at RB. Probably the last decent one we had. In fact, we have always been better off for LBs than RBs, bizarrely.

Alex Lawless was a big hope when he was signed by Leroy and he has carved out a good non-league career but not a league one.

Right-backs I remember...not all good, I hasten to add...

Steve Ritchie (who when I think back to him, I always picture Tucker from Citizen Smith)
John Doyle
Steve Pugh
Jim McNichol (although strictly, I think one of my all-time favourites was a central defender)
Paul Holmes
Steve Tully
Kevin Hodges
Lee Canoville
Alex Lawless
Lee Andrews

...I'm missing many though.

[Kernowgull]

How can you have missed Andy Gurney? Probably the best in my time as a fan. Gibbs and Gurney were a delight to watch!!

[PlainmoorRoar]

Tonge is off to Hartlepool

I will jump for joy if this is the case!

[hector]

How can you have missed Andy Gurney? Probably the best in my time as a fan. Gibbs and Gurney were a delight to watch!!

I thought I'd included him - glaring omission!