Posted by joe - 04/01/2009
Q. hiya richard, ive just converted from rugby to football 5 months ago. i used to be a fly half and kicking was not a problem, BUT now doing goalkicks is a bit hit and miss . i tend to go round the ball and lump it however i get no height atall. im 12 years old and 5 ft 5 tall and just been signed for peterborough fc. under 13 , first game against brighton on 17th , got any advice on helping with my goal kick? good luck for the new year and thank you for reading.
A. Congrats on getting signed by Peterborough, good going!
Goal kicks will be tough, especially as you have been used to doing a different technique of kicking a rugby ball. I think I may have given out this advice before but for me the best thing I ever did regarding my kicking was to get a friend over and whilst having a chat in the park we just clipped balls 30 yards apart to each other, concentrating on various techniques I could use to kick a ball.
For instance I would kick it to him with it starting right and curling inwards, then try and kick it with the opposite spin, then try a really lofted pass, then a driven one etc. Of course it won't come straight away but in time you begin to find what works for you and what you are consistant with.
I would stress not to think too much about it otherwise it can be detrimental, if you do think about make sure it is of a positive nature, ie every time you run it through your mind you strike it well.
Good luck in your debut...
Posted by ed - 03/01/2009
Q. hi richard happy new year!
went to watch scunthorpe, fa cup today ...things must be pretty bleak for you spending matches on the bench? Will you be given a few games in the coming few matches or are you backup? i've also always wanted to know how the players got to the match and at what time you all left the stadium (strange i know!) thanks!
A. I'm not sure if I'd use the word 'bleak' but certainly would rather be playing! ;-)
To be honest I was surprised when I was dropped as it came after the Swansea and Barnsley games where I had played well but I had played poorly in a couple of games previously to that so that was the reason. In truth though I'm quite excited by the future under the new regime, I've certainly got my enjoyment back for the game which had certainly started to waver a couple of months back and I think it showed in a couple of my performances. But now I'm training as hard as ever to get myself back in the team and Watford FC is a good place to be again. If I do manage to get myself back in the team I'll do my best to make sure I stay there of course.
Regarding getting to the match it has changed under the new regime, we now tunr up at 11.45 to have a pre match meal at the stadium and would usually leave by about 5.30 for a 3pm kick off. Away games are usually spent in a hotel near the opponents ground and we would arrive at their stadium at around 1.30. Plenty of time to get ankles strapped and massages etc before going out to warm up.
Posted by Sam - 03/01/2009
Q. Hi Richard, id first like to say you’re a great keeper and would like to congratulate you on your achievements that you have experienced at Watford FC, a legend in my eyes and in pretty much all the Watford fans I would have thought. What I would like to say is every home game behind the rookery I have been begging (well not that far) for a match ball from bob the kit man and he refuses, even on my birthday at home to QPR :-O, so I was wondering whether you could nudge bob to give me a match ball at the next home league game against Sheff Utd. Many thanks and would be very much appreciated if you could ask him or even throw in yourself LOL. P.S I’ll be wearing a fluffy Russian hat if u do kindly deicide to help me in my quest for a Match ball haha, many thanks!
A. Thanks Sam, I know Bob can be very protective over his footballs! Just keep on his case, I'm sure he'll crack eventually! I would throw you one myself but am quite scared of Bob and am worried what he might do to me ;-)
Posted by Ewan - 30/12/2008
Q. Hi Richard,I read recently that Lloyd Doyley has never scored in his whole career playing for watford ,do you think he ever will?
A. This is a fact he is reminded of regularly! and he rarely scores in training either, even when we are doing a shooting session it will always bring a cheer from everyone if he scores a goal. I'm sure Lloyd will score one day, maybe if we are 3-0 in the last minute and we get a penalty we should let him take it?!
Posted by michael - 30/12/2008
Q. Rich, I wondered what a players perspective is on the flack Lee Cook recieves from Watford fans. I think its all part of the game and it definately effects his performance everytime he plays against us. Do other players notice it? and do you think it is justified? He did say moving was not on the agenda. Only good players get that treatment in my eyes.
A. I have to be honest in that I can't exactly remember the circumstances under which Cooky left, I remember that he was always a QPR fan so I could imagine that was always his dream move from Watford and even when he left QPR to go to Fulham he was owed a substantial amount of money from QPR which he didn't take due to his affection for the club. In essence he is a good person but I guess that counts for little if you are perceived to have let a club down.
It is a funny one when a player leaves a club and find it hard to judge whether that player will get a good reception when next playing against their former club. The examples I'll use would be Darius Henderson and Gavin Mahon. Darius was in effect forced out so I understood why he got a good reception, Gavin was a good servant to the club and left due to the fact he wasn't going to be offered a contract yet he received a mixed reception which I find hard to understand.
I guess the general rule is that if you leave because you either weren't good enough to make the team or because you were forced out then you will often get a warm reception but if you leave of your own accord then you will get booed.
I wonder if Cristiano Ronaldo were to leave Man Utd and join Real Madrid whether he would get cheered or booed next time they faced each other?? would the trophies he's helped win for Utd count for anything? Just a thought.
Posted by Kate Wilkins - 28/12/2008
Q. Firstly best wishes for a Happy New Year. Why do you think the team has performed so inconsistently this year. We had the somewhat unfortunate experience of being behind the goal (Rookery end) at the Bristol City Game and were alarmed that Watford conceded so quickly. What do you think is behind `form' and why can it change so quickly?
Best wishes Kate and Adam Wilkins
A. Thanks and Happy new new year to you too!
It's a tough question and one that frustrates us as much as fans. We've put in some very capable performances this year and on our day I'm confident we can give anyone in the division a run for their money but as you say unfortunately it has been inconsistent so far.
In general you could point at many factors that affect form, injuries being one, psychology of players being another, the influence of fans for and against can also play its part.
The Bristol game aside it has been strange that our problem this season has been the opposite to last season. Last season we had the best away record in the division and this season we are the worst but thankfully our home form has been better. We feel that if we were able to get the away record right then we would soon climb the table, easier said than done I know.
So in answer to your question regarding our situation, the truth is unfortunately I don't really have one, we train hard and well most weeks, we all want to win and are prepared to do whatever it takes to make that happen, some days it clicks and some days it doesn't but I can assure you that we'll continue to work hard to ensure more good days than bad.
Posted by Ben Daniels - 25/12/2008
Q. Hi i know that you are sponsored by Sells, but i was just wondering if Sells only sponsor Professionals like youself or do they sponsor much lower league clubs??. If this is so how would i go about trying to get them to sponsor me. Or would they only sponsor me if they approached me. (bit confusing i no) :) Thanks Ben.
A. If I'm honest I'm not entirely sure, I don't know of any non-league keepers who are sponsored by Sells but that's not to say it doesnt happen.
If you have ability and there is the possibility that you may one day play at a high level then glove companies would be interested in you.
My advice would be to write off to various glove companies explaining who you are and what you want to achieve etc. and who knows what you may get back, even if it were just a discount it would be well worth it right?
I remember when I was younger how expensive gloves can be and how I would need to make each pair last as long as possible! Makes me appreciate what I have now. Hope that's of some help.
Posted by jermaine - 17/12/2008
Q. i am playing for a premier league club, i am 17 and i am 6ft. do u think i am to small to be a premier league goalkeeper? and what things to you think i sholu work on to make sure that my height does not become an issue
A. Of course you are not. Firstly I would point to a few examples, Shay Given, Carlo Cudicini and Iker Casillas being some of the very best in the world.
My suggestion would be to put a little extra effort into the areas that managers may view as a problem area, crossing for instance, if you are commanding and dominate your box then the height issue won't be a problem.
I would also put a little bit extra effort into making sure that you are sharper, more agile and braver than those bigger than you. In my eyes the only benefit to having the extra height is psychological in that they 'appear' to fill the goal but if they don't dominate their area then this is worthless anyway, these keepers aren't 'effective' keepers.
I would also suggest to try not to allow thoughts of height to enter your head too often. I've had problems in the past regarding my height and there are managers out there who believe a keeper has to be 6ft4 but the majority of managers are just concerned about keeping the ball out of the net and will use the best man for the job, simple as that.
Congrats on playing for a Premier League club, work hard, keep learning and I'm sure you'll have a great future ahead of you, good luck!
Posted by Ben Damiels - 15/12/2008
Q. Hi Richard iam a goalkeeper and i was just wondering if you have any tips on diving. I have no problem diving high and low to my left but i struggle diving to my right because i cant take off right and then struggle on the landing tecnique and i always manage to land on my ribs and it hurts. So if you have any tips i would be pleased to hear them. Thanks Ben.
A. Most keepers have a favourite side (I'm no exception) My advise would be to break down the dive, so start doing drills on your knees and work on falling to your right and getting the technique corrct and comfortable.
Then progress to using a crashmat (If possible!) This can be an excellent way to work on throwing yourself to either side with no danger of injury and can also help with power in your legs. A drill I would do is to start with the ball in my hands and pretend the ball is heading for the top corner and I would literally throw myself as far as I could and really focus on landing softly and keeping hold of the ball, a little bit unorthodox maybe but it has certainly had a very positive impact on my career to date.
Other simple exercises for power would be to do simple squats, keep a straight back and feel the burn in your thighs as you lower yourself down and up repeatedly.
Like anything, good practice makes permanent, before you know it you'll be hurling yourself through the air and plucking the ball from the top corner!
Posted by Ed - 13/12/2008
Q. is there a reason for Rasiak not being played recently
A. Well he is fit at the moment so my guess would be it's due to the form of Tamas at present but if you want a better answer you'd have to ask the manager ;-)