14 Aug 2026 15:53:50
Chatting to a fellow blue and he told me since 1991 we have spent a total of £15.96 million on actual Rightbacks because we would sooner play center backs or midfielders out of position. I said that can't be true. He showed me all the players and was spot on.
ie Phil Neville bought as a defensive midfielder. Unsworth, Godfrey, the list was massive. I know Hibbert and Coleman held that position for many years but is still a bit of an eye opener.
14 Aug 2026 16:17:50
I heard it in a podcast the other day, Ron. Patterson, Coleman and Watson are the last 3 right backs we've signed permanently in over 20 years. Hibbert came through the academy and played at the same time as Watson. It's unbelievable that we still haven't signed one. Coleman was unreliable (injuries) from before we Benitez signed Patterson. And none of our managers have fancied Patterson.
14 Aug 2026 17:01:54
On what he showed me, 24 players have played RB since 1991, and only 12 were actually right-backs. Jackson, Barrett, Hotteiger, etc only cost back in the day around £1.5 million or so. Pistone played LB or RB and some others like that. I wish I knew how to share it on here, but not that tech savvy. I think it's woeful.
14 Aug 2026 17:16:14
And we've won and achieved absolutely jack all in all of that time - so proves we've been wrong on this.
14 Aug 2026 17:33:31
That's a mad stat, Ron. Only one you could argue the toss over is Neville, as he was always more of a full back than a defensive mid. Still shocking though, mate.
14 Aug 2026 19:26:14
His brother was Utd's RB though, and we did buy him for midfield, but I know what you mean. Honestly, looking at the list really shocked me. Will ask the site he got it off.
14 Aug 2026 19:33:05
Dan P. (@paynerz) on X, if that helps.