Posted by gavin - 15/01/2009
Q. Hi Richard, about 4 months ago i dislocated 2 fingers when playing in goal and will be playing in goal for the first time since i dislocated them pretty soon. Have you ever dislocated fingers and what would you suggest i do as i am worried that il do it again? and also do you do anything to build up strength in your fingers, which may prevent them dislocating again? thanks :)
A. I have broken a couple of fingers in my time, unfortunately it is a hazard of the position! I haven't met many keepers who don't have a couple of bent fingers so don't worry you are in good company!
From memory I would do very simple things like hold a tennis ball and just vary my grip on it as I relaxed in an evening on the sofa. Just feel a nice burn in your hand and fingers, this will help to strengthen and I have no doubt once you've caught a few balls your confidence levels will be sky high once again. Good luck!
Posted by Robert Hewitt - 14/01/2009
Q. Hi mate, I thought I should update you on the condition of my wrist. For the first time yesterday I put my sells on for the first time since the beginning of October. I had a ten minute handling session which felt good. However my wrist is still a bit tender so it looks like another few weeks before I satrt playing fully again. After the session I played outfield and went into it with full agression and put in a few Jamie Hand esc tackles. How's Mart Poom getting on with his shoulder?. Cheers Mate
A. Good to hear it. Well make the most of your time onfield, all the best keeper these days would make goos outfield players. Poomy's doing well, has just recently had a plate out of his shoulder and is still expecting it to be a few months before he'll begin training agani but he is fully determined to get himself fit and continue playing for a couple more years.
A true professional.
Posted by Giles - 10/01/2009
Q. Hi Richard, I wanted to ask if you have any advice for goalkeepers about how to keep warm when the weather's really cold?
I play goalie for my under 9 team and am quite skinny. A couple of times this winter I've been really cold before the end of the match, and it's affected my play. I wear a long sleeved Canterbury top under my goalie top, and long padded trousers.
What are your top tips for keeping warm? Thanks from Giles.
A. I feel your pain big guy! I also feel the cold more than most, my first bit of advice would be to wear an under top and cycling shorts but sounds like you are already doing that.
My biggest tip would be to keep on the move. Even when the ball is up the other end of the field be shouting instructions at yr defence keeping them alert and in the meantime doing some keeper movements on the edge of your box, ie side steps and spring exercises just to keep the blood flowing. The outfield players don't get as cold and that's the reason why, the more you move the warmer you'll be. Hope that helps...
Posted by ed - 08/01/2009
Q. hi richard! is there any way in meeting the players/manager?
i've always wanted too but don't know how/where!!
Thanks for answering my last comment!
ed
A. Yeah of course, quite a few fans will wait by the players entrance either before or after a game for autographs etc, many of the players will often do appearances at schools etc, other fans attend club functions etc (Although this can be expensive!) Then there is also an open day every year when fans will come for autographs and to chat to their favourite players, then of course there are some of us who have a website and can to be written to! ;)
Posted by Tom - 07/01/2009
Q. Hi Richard.
I am 19 years old and now at University, but I still have this deep-rooted ambition to be a pro-footballer, I believe if given the opportunity to give complete focus, dedication, hardwork, creative initiative and time I could make a significant contribution to a team such as yours. The highest level I played was for my County.
I'm a supporter of Watford, and take encouragement from Jay's story, should I keep my slight glimmer of hope. I am I just shooting for the stars, and get to making a different career path.
Brendan's got to be open to just seeing what I could offer.
A. If it is a dream of yours and you are confident in your ability then don't give up. Jay isn't the only one to have come into football in his 20's and although it's a bit less common these days it does still happen.
My advice would be to obviously work hard on your game and set your sights on playing for your universtiy team. If this is already the case then maybe look at good non league clubs in your area, this will give the opportunity to be paid for playing football and also possibility the freedom to concentrate fully on football.
From a non league club your chances of getting into a league club are significantly increased. Your best bet then would be to contact a few league clubs and make them aware of your situation and get scouts to come and watch your games etc. Long story short, if you are good enough you will find your way to the top. I wish you luck.
Posted by Tommy W - 06/01/2009
Q. Hello Richard
Over Xmas I was seeing some friends and we bought fifa pro 08 for the wii. The first game was Watford Vs Lu*on with a cetain Lee as goalkeeper . Imagine my suprise as Mr Lee wandered 20 yards out of goal and was pronptly lobbed resulting in a 1-0 defeat (I admit I had not read the instructions at this point, but I still had to pay for the pizza).
Do you ever have any say in having your name used for these things? I notice that the character also had a bit of beard too.
Can I have the money for the pizza too please :-)
Good luck for the rest of the season.
A. Ha, sounds like you are as bad as me at that game. In fact the lads have a screen set up at the back of the team coach to play that game and pro evo on long away trips, although they are very rarely watford, normally Barcelona or Man Utd, no idea why?! ;)
To be honest we don't get any say, I'm assuming it has something to do with the league holding the rights to using our names for these games and I know certain games don't have the rights so use names that are almost correct, I'm sure you know the type.
I hope you got revenge for your defeat to Luton, just shows how unrealistic those games are eh?! ;)
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?!