tcjambo Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 This has been touched on before but I would be interested to see if others agree that this has been a problem position almost since I started watching Hearts in the mid-sixties. I can't think of any specialist quality right backs we have had. During this time we have had many really good left backs - Davie Holt, Arthur Mann, Peter Oliver, Neil Pointon, Gary Naysmith, Stephane Mahe and now Lee Wallace. All of these guys I would put ahead of anybody we have specifically bought for this position. We have tended to play some good players out of position here - Eggert, Tam Flogel, Pressley and Mac Pherson come to mind and others just haven't been particularly good IMO- Neilson and Walter Kidd. So who's been our best one in this role and who should be played there now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie-Brown Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Stevie Frail at his best was easily the best I've seen. As for who should play there now - well Iam happy with the options of Eggert Jonsson, Craig & Jason Thomson - less than convinced by Darren Barr at right back but he's still okay for cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sydney Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Frail pre-injury and Locke pre-injury Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigolo-Aunt Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 How long has Jason Thompson got left on his contract? Alan Maybury was a decent right back - until they shunted him to LB (where he done okay but was not as effective) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regal Kingston Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Stevie Frail at his best was easily the best I've seen. As for who should play there now - well Iam happy with the options of Eggert Jonsson, Craig & Jason Thomson - less than convinced by Darren Barr at right back but he's still okay for cover. Alan McLaren has a bash and done well Gary Locke was good at right back when he broke through But Stevie Frail for me Robbie was good in 05/06 as his superior team-mates improved his game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drylaw Hearts Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Our current team needs a proper RB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Templeton'sUnderpants Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Robbie Neilson, Think he gets a lot of stick when really he was a decent player. At the moment, I'm happy playing Eggert there untill Craig Thomson can improve a little bit more but feel he has shown good prospect. See Barr more as a CB and feel we need to put some effort in to developing himthere a Bouzid is utter potatoes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guildford_Jambo Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Robbie was good in 05/06 as his superior team-mates improved his game. What is Robbie Neilson up to just now, as he isnt getting games at Leicester... Any chance JJ would want him back, atleast as cover? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H J Simpson Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 What is Robbie Neilson up to just now, as he isnt getting games at Leicester... Any chance JJ would want him back, atleast as cover? That comment alone desereves a Suspension from Kickback. Why would we want a guy who can't get a game for Leicester back at the club Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcjambo Posted December 23, 2010 Author Share Posted December 23, 2010 On reflection Alan McLaren was actually quite good in that position but I would agree about Frail being probably our best. Gary never really played long enough there for me to make a judgement. Alan McLaren has a bash and done well Gary Locke was good at right back when he broke through But Stevie Frail for me Robbie was good in 05/06 as his superior team-mates improved his game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johanes de Silentio Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Sandy Jardine was a right-back, but he excelled for us at sweeper! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmaroon Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Stevie Frail pre-injury stands out! Locke, also pre-injury! Chris Shevlane and Ian "Flasher" Sneddon were also more than decent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jambo Ell Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 David Weir was decent for us for a spell at right back but undoubtedly a better centre half than full back. Seem to remember him scoring a goal at the school end maybe 95 or 96 against Well I think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seebeegee Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 This has been touched on before but I would be interested to see if others agree that this has been a problem position almost since I started watching Hearts in the mid-sixties. I can't think of any specialist quality right backs we have had. During this time we have had many really good left backs - Davie Holt, Arthur Mann, Peter Oliver, Neil Pointon, Gary Naysmith, Stephane Mahe and now Lee Wallace. All of these guys I would put ahead of anybody we have specifically bought for this position. We have tended to play some good players out of position here - Eggert, Tam Flogel, Pressley and Mac Pherson come to mind and others just haven't been particularly good IMO- Neilson and Walter Kidd. So who's been our best one in this role and who should be played there now? I know its about right backs, but you've forgot Tosh and Takis at left back also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott herbertson Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 David Weir was decent for us for a spell at right back but undoubtedly a better centre half than full back. Seem to remember him scoring a goal at the school end maybe 95 or 96 against Well I think? Dave Clunie was a permanent fixture at right back for much of the early 70's - I always thought he was a decent defender Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego10 Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I n my time watching Hearts, undoubtedly Steven Frail prior to his first injury. After he got injured in McLean's team we went from shooting up the league and in with a great shot at the SC to losing to Airdrie and nearly getting relegated, so important was he. Others have done a job as well, Weir (D), McLaren, Neilson, Kidd but nobody really outstanding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
We_are_the_Hearts Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Always been a weak position for us: The night we beat Bayern Munich at Tynie Alan McLaren was outstanding at Right Back. That was a great defence when we had McLaren, McPherson, Levein and Tosh. McPherson himself had a great game at Right back when we won the cup in 1998. Davy Weir played Right back and scored in the 1996 Coca Cola Cup final when we lost 4-3 to Rangers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polwarthjambo Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 On reading thread title - first thought was stevie frail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hansel Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 That Ginger guy we got from fc twente who was once at Motherwell. Mackinnon I think. He was ok l thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I liked George Cowie at right back. Maybury was good too. I also thought Barassa was alright, was coming onto a game and then got injured v Smeltic and we never saw him again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergio Garcia Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 David Weir was decent for us for a spell at right back but undoubtedly a better centre half than full back. Seem to remember him scoring a goal at the school end maybe 95 or 96 against Well I think? It was i had him as first scorer and was going to Alton Towers with the school the next morning. I was Mr Flush that trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Craig Thomson should be given a run of games. If he could learn to channel his aggresion in the right way and tighten up a bit defensively we'd have two of the best attacking full backs in Britain. JT is a decent squad player but Eggert definitely isn't a long term option there and Barr is just gash - at CB or RB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamboAberdeen Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Alan Maybury had been the best RB in SPL for couple seasons, forcing back to Irish national team then, though he had to shift to left to accommodate Robbie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Merse Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 That comment alone desereves a Suspension from Kickback. Why would we want a guy who can't get a game for Leicester back at the club As much as I don't want to see Robbie Neilson in a Hearts shirt again, I guarantee that there are quite a few Leicester players who aren't getting there game who would significantly improve our side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Merse Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Alan Maybury had been the best RB in SPL for couple seasons, forcing back to Irish national team then, though he had to shift to left to accommodate Robbie. Not strictly true. He was shunted to the left after it was discovered that CL had made an horrific signing in Jamie Mcallister and had nobody else to play left back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
We_are_the_Hearts Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 As much as I don't want to see Robbie Neilson in a Hearts shirt again, I guarantee that there are quite a few Leicester players who aren't getting there game who would significantly improve our side. Who? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcjambo Posted December 23, 2010 Author Share Posted December 23, 2010 I liked Cowie too but strangely he didn't seem to last very long. I liked George Cowie at right back. Maybury was good too. I also thought Barassa was alright, was coming onto a game and then got injured v Smeltic and we never saw him again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan_R Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 People keep harping on about this being a problem position.. ..I think we are doing fine tbh. I wouldn't be against signing a quality right-back but I like C.Thomson and J.Thomson can fill in when required. Also Eggy is pretty much solid wherever he plays. It's not a nessecity like many make out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcjambo Posted December 23, 2010 Author Share Posted December 23, 2010 A real omission on my part. Takis might well have been the best of the lot! I know its about right backs, but you've forgot Tosh and Takis at left back also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcjambo Posted December 23, 2010 Author Share Posted December 23, 2010 I think I was just pointing out a historical trend between the quality difference overall. We are reasonably covered at present and I think Craig Thomson offers us that final delivery that has been missing in the past. People keep harping on about this being a problem position.. ..I think we are doing fine tbh. I wouldn't be against signing a quality right-back but I like C.Thomson and J.Thomson can fill in when required. Also Eggy is pretty much solid wherever he plays. It's not a nessecity like many make out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan_R Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I think I was just pointing out a historical trend between the quality difference overall. We are reasonably covered at present and I think Craig Thomson offers us that final delivery that has been missing in the past. That post wasn't directed at you. Was speaking generally. Good thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter Bishop Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Frail pre-injury and Locke pre-injury Pre-injury Locke was playing centre midfield and was outstanding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bilel Mohsni Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Stevie Frail for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter Bishop Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Hugh Burns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coco Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Frail was exceptional for half a season. McLaren and McPherson did very well as stand-ins. But the best sustained performances over seasons we have had at right back since the early 80s came from Neilson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hearts Heritage Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Since July 1960 no of appearances at 'no 2' NB since squad numbers were introduced the players who played there may not be 100% accurate. . 1 Kidd Walter 435 2 Neilson Robbie 242 3 Sneddon Ian 217 4 Clunie David 173 5 McLaren Alan 160 6 Locke Gary 121 7 Shevlane Chris 109 8 Brown Jim 93 9 Kirk Bobby 91 10 Maybury Alan 86 11 Polland Willie 82 12 Ferguson Danny 80 13 Kay Roy 70 14 Frail Stephen 67 15 Flogel Thomas 46 16 Murray Grant 40 16 Thomson Jason 40 18 Jonsson Eggert 33 19 Robinson Bobby 31 20 Burns Hugh 30 21 Sandison Jimmy 28 22 Hogg Graeme 26 23 Holt David 24 24 McManus Alan 23 24 Thomson Craig 23 26 Murray Malcolm 22 27 McPherson Dave 21 27 Cowie George 21 29 Hamilton Stephen 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie-Brown Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Frail was exceptional for half a season. McLaren and McPherson did very well as stand-ins. But the best sustained performances over seasons we have had at right back since the early 80s came from Neilson. This is a joke right? Robbie Neilson couldn't hold a candle to Walter Kidd at right back, Walter was deservedly Hearts captain over a number of seasons and was hard as nails, Robbie was a sap by comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jambos are go! Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Robbie Neilson is the only out and out right back I can ever remember being capped for Scotland since the 1950s at least. Had a good game as well. Says it all. Remember when teams would not attack down his side. What a compliment. Dave Macpherson was capped as stand in but was really a Centre Back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudy T Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Got to be Zico !! Anyone remember him shanking one into the away end (cappelow maybe), hitting the macaroon bar seller and a 50 man brawl ensued, what a man would do back then for a macarron and a packet of fruitella ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheile Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Willie Polland and Chris Shevlane were solid, dependable right backs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcjambo Posted December 23, 2010 Author Share Posted December 23, 2010 Thanks for this list. I have picked my top five in that position who have played at least 25 games there. I suspect Willie Polland and Bobby Kirk would probably be ranked but I didn't see the latter play and can't remember much about Willie Polland except that he was well regarded by the fans at the time. Since July 1960 no of appearances at 'no 2' NB since squad numbers were introduced the players who played there may not be 100% accurate. . 1 Kidd Walter 435 2 Neilson Robbie 242 3 Sneddon Ian 217 4 Clunie David 173 5 5 McLaren Alan 160 2 6 Locke Gary 121 7 Shevlane Chris 109 8 Brown Jim 93 9 Kirk Bobby 91 10 Maybury Alan 86 4 11 Polland Willie 82 12 Ferguson Danny 80 13 Kay Roy 70 14 Frail Stephen 67 1 15 Flogel Thomas 46 3 16 Murray Grant 40 16 Thomson Jason 40 18 Jonsson Eggert 33 19 Robinson Bobby 31 20 Burns Hugh 30 21 Sandison Jimmy 28 22 Hogg Graeme 26 23 Holt David 24 24 McManus Alan 23 24 Thomson Craig 23 26 Murray Malcolm 22 27 McPherson Dave 21 27 Cowie George 21 29 Hamilton Stephen20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vanbasten1874 Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Frail or zico easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheatfield to sheffield Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Frail for the crosses that John Millar would finish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo-Jambo Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Hugh SHUGGIE Burns. Mad as a hatter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Cockade Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Jimmy Brown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hearts Heritage Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Left Backs since 1960 1 Holt David 322 2 McKinlay Tosh 262 3 Whittaker Brian 184 4 Wallace Lee 142 5 Shields Peter 132 6 Naysmith Gary 124 7 Clunie David 117 8 Jefferies Jim 116 9 Kay Roy 108 10 Oliver Peter 105 11 Cowie George 69 12 Fyssas Takis 62 13 Ritchie Paul 56 14 Shevlane Chris 53 15 Maybury Alan 52 16 Pointon Neil 49 17 Goncalves Jose 48 18 Mann Arthur 47 19 Mahe Stephane 46 20 Black Kenny 39 21 Burrell Sandy 38 21 Fraser Cammy 38 23 McCann Austin 37 24 Black Ian George 32 25 Denny Jim 29 26 McAllister Jaimie 23 26 McAlpine Willie 23 28 Miller Colin 21 29 Snodin Glynn 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johanes de Silentio Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Left Backs since 1960 1 Holt David 322 2 McKinlay Tosh 262 3 Whittaker Brian 184 4 Wallace Lee 142 5 Shields Peter 132 6 Naysmith Gary 124 7 Clunie David 117 8 Jefferies Jim 116 9 Kay Roy 108 10 Oliver Peter 105 11 Cowie George 69 12 Fyssas Takis 62 13 Ritchie Paul 56 14 Shevlane Chris 53 15 Maybury Alan 52 16 Pointon Neil 49 17 Goncalves Jose 48 18 Mann Arthur 47 19 Mahe Stephane 46 20 Black Kenny 39 21 Burrell Sandy 38 21 Fraser Cammy 38 23 McCann Austin 37 24 Black Ian George 32 25 Denny Jim 29 26 McAllister Jaimie 23 26 McAlpine Willie 23 28 Miller Colin 21 29 Snodin Glynn 20 No way did Paul Ritchie play left-back 56 times - this can only mean he played on the left of a back 3? Sorry to be such a pedant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxford City Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 No way did Paul Ritchie play left-back 56 times - this can only mean he played on the left of a back 3? Sorry to be such a pedant. Ritchie wore no 3 playing CB, often Pointon wore 11 and played LB. As for best RB - Zico. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coburg Hearts Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Bobby Kirk and Willie Polland, sadly no longer with us, for me, but perhaps they just pre-date the OP's time frame. Two very good players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Libertonian_II Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 Stevie Frail at his best was easily the best I've seen. As for who should play there now - well Iam happy with the options of Eggert Jonsson, Craig & Jason Thomson - less than convinced by Darren Barr at right back but he's still okay for cover. I'd go with Frail as well, Maybury wasn't too bad either. Below them would be Kidd and Neilson. As for the current bunch, none of them are up to it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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