Posted by nick - 03/11/2008

Q. im personally gutted that boothroyds gone, he was a great guy how did the players react? whats going wrong at the moment, it seems that luck is against us

A.

Aidy did have many great attributes, there was a sense of shock this morning amongst the players, things haven't been going great but we still expect to turn this season around.

  It's easy to blame luck but yeah we haven't had all that much of it but I like to believe it will even itself over the course of a season and if we consistantly play well for the remainder then I'm sure luck won't be required.

  I'm still very positive, we have some very talented players in the squad and there's no reason we can't turn things around, get on a good run and be challenging at the right end.  We just have to keep the faith.

Posted by brad simpson - 03/11/2008

Q. Hi richard, i was just wondering how to improve my catching skills so i get "softer hands" because i may be getting a trial with ipswich and i want to be able to catch better than i can because my goalkeeper coach says i snatch at the ball sometimes. Is there any drills i can do to help with this? Thanks a lot and best of luck for your season.

A.

It is natural at a young age to 'snatch' at the ball, obviously you are eager to get hold of it so don't worry about doing this.  I guess my best bit of advice would be to trust your hands.  Get your tchnique right and trust that the ball will stick.

  A very simple drill that I've done all my life and used to drive my family crazy is to just lie on my back and throw and ball up and down towards my face, each time concentrating on cussioning the ball in and getting the perfect 'W'.  I would then progress to throwing it up, move my hands down by my waist and return them in time to catch the ball, basically copying what happens in a match situation.  Just get used to catching a ball repetitively, it really does help.

Hope that helps and good luck! sure you'll do great and make sure you enjoy it ;)

Posted by madeleine - 02/11/2008

Q. Just a line to say the tide has just got to turn in your favour; keep smiling! We're all rooting for you. x

A. Thanks! much appreciated....

Posted by martin - 02/11/2008

Q. Hi richard, i was just wondering what your secret is to your recent sucess and what would you say is the problem with the defensive la[se at the moment?

A.

Is tough to work out why exactly we are struggling defensively at the moment to be honest.  The only real explanation I can give is too many individual errors which is obviously very frustrating for all of us.  There's very few things in the world that can put you on a major high one week but feel very angry the next week but football certainly can do that!

  Every player prepares as well as they possibly can for each game, some days things click and seem to go your way and other days they don't.  What I've realised is that whatever happens it's important to keep a level head and approach every obstacle the same way, with hard work and a positive attitude.  I'm sure our fortunes will change.

Posted by ed - 01/11/2008

Q. hi richard! great website. Watched u earlier against blackpool ashame we didnt manage to get the win. i was just wandering what normally happens on a match day (e.g before and after matches and at half time?) Good luck for the season. Come on u Orns! Cheers ed!

A.

Thanks,  We are due to report for home games at 1.30pm, which means resting in the morning before a game and making sure we eat the right things.  After reporting we will have a meeting at 1.45pm to go through who the subs are and a few words from the manager.  We don't warm up till 2.15pm which means slowly getting changed and any of the boys who require strappings on their ankles etc or a massage to help warm up certain parts of their body will get that done.

  After the warm up there will be a few last words from the manager before going out to play.  Half time is a chance to run through anything that is going well, or not so well on the pitch in time to rectify the situation in the second half. 

  Once the game is finished there will be a few words from the manager but we normally leave the debrief until the day after as things can often get pretty heated after a game!

Posted by Robert Hewitt - 23/10/2008

Q. Hi, Recently while playing in goal I managed to make a good save. In making the save Imanaged to bend my right wrist back which ended up in me somehow chipping abone in my wrist. I have been told it will take at leat amonth to heal, but what i want to know is what I should do to strengthen the wrist once it is healed because I don't want to repeat the injury. It was an annoying time to get injured as I was getting some good form together. I am now very jealous when I see you playing in goal, as goalkeeping is what I love to do

A.

  Sorry to hear that.  I haven't ever broken my wrist before so I wouldn't want to offer exercises that went against what a physio told you but whatever exercises you are given I'd recommend you do them religiously and with care and attention.  I'd also say not to push anything as the body needs time to heal and it's important you give your body the necessary time.

  I remember when breaking my arm my biggest challenge was to be able to straighten my arm again so I'd spend hours lent up against a wall in an attempt to get it straight and I'm very thankful I did because if I didn't then the chances are my career would have been over before it began.

  I don't want to sound like it's doom and gloom because it isn't, use this time to study other areas of football and work on other parts of your body and ensure that when your wrist heals that you are fit and ready to hit the ground running!!  Good luck!!

Posted by Gregaz - 21/10/2008

Q. Hello Richard, Its Gregaz again. What is that amazing technique that you have used in which to save those three penalties over the past two games? Hopefully, if you can reveal, it will help my decisions when it comes to penalties. Thanks For the previous answer aswell, it really shows what collin's teachings have an effect on his student's gameplay. All the things you said under presence I now fully know and understand the effects of it. Thanks. Are you still in touch with colin or not, im feeling nosey! Thanks Alot Gregaz

A.

Hi Gregaz, firstly yes I am still in touch with Colin, I owe him a lot and we speak regularly to discuss goalkeeping and I consider him and good friend.

  Regarding the penalties I've been very fortunate that our scout watches all the oppositions games and is able to give me info on where a taker has gone previously.  Secondly I've always been on the belief that once I've made up my mind then it is final, I don't like the idea of having regrets because I changed my mind.

  As soon as a player picks the ball up and puts it on the spot I walk up to them, look at them and decide in that instant where I believe they are going to try and place the ball.  My thought process is that he must be nervous, he is expected to score and his team expect him to score so he has to be nervous.  So then I tell myself 'I will save this, I know I will!'.  Then I attempt to save it, if I do then great, if I don't then I'll have no regrets, I gave it everything which is all you can ever ask.

Posted by Andrew Ediker - 07/10/2008

Q. Howdy I came over from the US a year ago and I saw my first high octane soccer match on the weekend and now I am a converted Watford fan! I really would like to start playing football as it looks really fun! Do you need any qualifications to become a professional footballer as I have just got a US PE qualification which is equivilant to a B in your GCSEs? I was thinking of becoming a goalkeeper as you do not seem to move very much which is great for me because I am not that energetic but I do take up allot of room. PS Up the Hornets and congratulations on your century of games!!!

A. Thanks, Well I'm pleased you enjoyed the game so much!!  and as for GCSE's, most of the lads have less than you already have so that won't be an issue!!  I wish you all the luck in the world in your pursuit of a professional contract.... 

Posted by Dave Gregory - 06/10/2008

Q. Hello Richard, I am being coached at Crystal Palace Academy by your old coach Colin Barnes, I realise he is one of the best in the country, but what was the most important thing you learnt from him and why? Also, What Do you think is the most important aspect of goalkeeping? I believe that is to have great presence in the goal and for players around you, what do you think?? Thanks. Gregaz U14.

A.

Hi,  Yeah Colin is excellent, very wide knowledge of the game but most importantly with me he thought outside the box, he put on many drills for me that have helped me with my spring and agility and being smaller than most keepers that was vital for my development.  He realised what I would need to make it, every keeper is different and by recognising your strengths and weaknesses early on will give you a chance to maximise your good points and work on the not so good.

  I agree in that presence is vitally important, I believe this can be achieved in many ways.  It is a massive misconception that presence is based purely on height and how a keeper 'fills' the goal.  My definition is slightly different, I believe it is how a keeper conducts himself around his goal.  presence ranges from taking pressure off defence by being brave and coming for crosses, it also means being a loud voice behind your defence so they know you are the boss and have faith in what you say.  Presence is also being big enough to make a mistake yet bounce back instantly and perform your next task well. 

  All of these come under presence in my opinion, you are fortunate in that with Colin he knows what's needed for a keeper to become technically sound so providing you work hard and keep your motivation/enjoyment for the game then you have a great chance of fulfilling your potential.  Good luck!!  Thanks for the question.

Posted by Dr Watford - 05/10/2008

Q. Hi Richard (or should I say Mr 100 games for Watford!) - Congrats on reaching that golden career milestone in the 2-1 win against PNE. It was a shame that Tommy Smith's 50th goal got all theheadlines mind you. So what 3 games have most stuck out in the 100 and if pushed what would you put down on record as 'the save of your career' so far? Dr Watford

A.

Thanks!  Is a tough one to call, there have been some big games due to the various occassions, FA Cup semi final for instance, playing in the play offs, playing at Old Trafford in front of 70,000+ people and making my debut were all massive occassions.

  I think my best three games were against Portsmouth in the 04/05 season when we ran out 3-0 winners and made the semi final (Only for me to break cheek bone a week prior!)  Another favourite was against Stoke last year, 0-0 draw in which I was fighting for my place and managed to put in an important performance when it mattered.  Another favourite was when we defeated Sheffield United on penalties also in the 04/05 season.  The number one for me though would have to be the draw we gained away at Man City, I had plenty to do and I think that was the performance that gave me another lease of life under Aidy.  Plus it was live on sky which was nice!

  Regarding best save I'd have to say one that I didnt actually get all that much credit for, it was home to Man Utd and was a flick at the near post from Saha I think and I went low to my left and caught the ball at the right angle for it to go for a corner.  It was my favourite for a few reasons, I'd read what might happen and it took a certain amount of sharpness to get down and scoop it away.  Other saves that stick out were away to Man City, a low free kick from Joey Barton and in that Portsmouth game a few years back and save high to my left from Patrick Berger.

Thanks for that question, I enjoyed reliving those moments!! ;-)