clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Tottenham Hotspur's Best XI Of The Decade: Right Back

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 27: Stephen Carr of Birmingham City celebrates victory after the Carling Cup Final between Arsenal and Birmingham City at Wembley Stadium on February 27, 2011 in London, England.  (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 27: Stephen Carr of Birmingham City celebrates victory after the Carling Cup Final between Arsenal and Birmingham City at Wembley Stadium on February 27, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Getty Images

As mentioned in the left back post fullback has always been a tricky position for Tottenham Hotspur to fill. I think we're all well aware of Kevin's thoughts on all our current rightbacks, only one of whom appears on this list.

If there's a position that needs to just be better for Spurs (aside from striker) it's right back. Vedran Corluka and Younes Kaboul have proved to be pretty good, but I don't think either of them would be confused for Alf Ramsey, Peter Baker, or Steve Perryman. The current crop at the position has a lot of questions to answer before the start of next season.

This list is very, very small which says two things to me. First, Spurs have had a great deal of consistency at the right back position over the last decade. Second, it says that, by and large, our right backs have been pretty poor. Looking at the players it's pretty clear to me who should win, but you readers always surprise me, so we shall see what happens.

Again, if you feel I've left someone off the list that deserves inclusion let me know. The nominees are after the jump.

Stephen Carr: Carr joined Tottenham way back in 1993 and continued to play for the club until 2004 making 269 appearances and scoring 8 goals. He twice won Club Player of the Year honors first in 1999 (which for purposes of this poll doesn't count) and again in 2000. He was also named to the PFA team of the season in both 2001 and 2003. He was a consistent performer and often the lone bright spot for Spurs teams that really weren't all that good.

Paul Stalteri: I can hear all of you laughing, but you try to find enough decent right backs to make this a worthwhile list. Stalteri is Canadian, which makes him very friendly, but also prone to riots. He's also a Clemson University product, which means...well this. Stalteri made 42 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur scoring three goals. I don't remember much from Stalteri but I do remember his role in our 4-3 win over West Ham United. That game alone gets him inclusion on this list.

Vedran Corluka: Sure, Charlie doesn't move particularly fast, but he's a heck of a lot better than Pascal Chimbonda. Corluka joined Tottenham from Manchester City in 2008 and has gone on to make 91 appearances for the club and, somehow, even scored a goal. The man doesn't move particularly fast, but he's a strong presence at the back and he reads the game fairly well. In addition, of all our right back options, it is Corluka who works best with Aaron Lennon on the right flank.