Richard Wright was class for us in the 2002/2003 season. Safe as houses. Saved a few penalties as well. Went downhill after that. Massively downhill.
David Moyes is an underrated gaffer you know. Look at some of his bargain buys;
Cahill - 1.5 mill
Arteta - 2 mill
Carsley - Less than 1 mill
Lescott - 6 mill
McFadden - 1.5 mill (iirc)
Valente - I'm pretty sure he got him on a free. A free!
Okay, Per Kroldrup and Beattie didn't work out, but no manager out there is perfect. Also with Yakubu, he didn't let the fact that he'd payed 11 million for him cloud the fact that he was fat and useless at the start of the season so he benched him, made him get his fitness back and now he's a gun.