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 ;-)
Posted by Sakinah - 09/12/2008
Q. hi Richard its Sakinah I've commented on this site b4! I have trouble taking goal kicks from the floor. I've been praticing these goal kicks with Aidy Creamer a lot but i still can't get it ight. He's being helping me a lot though.
Can u give me some tips on how to take them because when i play matches my coach doesn't let me take them! :(
When i see u take ur goalkicks, i notice that u try and get under the ball, which is excatly what i do but its the height of the ball in which i have problems with. Do u have to get in line with the ball and get under or wat?
A. I find that kicking is a very personal thing. I watched the Coventry keeper yesterday fr instance and his style in quite unorthodox but he kicks it a great distance so i don't think there is neccessarily a right or wrong way to kick. I've messed about with my technique many times and still do it now, my advice would be to find a way you are comfortable with and practice practice practice.
As a guide though look to run at the ball from a 45 degree angle, lean ever so slightly away from the ball as you strike and don't bring your head up too soon. Hold the thought of driving through the ball and not chipping it. Ben's technique was the best I'd ever seen at being able to hit the ball incredible distances with the ball never going more that 15 yards off the ground. Plus he did that from a 4 step run up! Everyone is different....
But as I say just have fun playing around with your technique and I'm sure you'll find your own unique style.
Posted by harry palmer - 06/12/2008
Q. hi richard
its harry again, i just if you remembered me or my dad from the dvd you made with sells at bisham abbey ? (keeper)
A. Hi Harry, yeah I remember, funnily enough I was watching that just yesterday. Was actually a really fun day although by memory from that day was Ben moaning about his knee the whole day, I kept telling him to stop being a baby and just get on with it. It turned out a few weeks later that he'd been doing all that training with a ruptured cruciate! all good with you i hope?
Posted by Gregaz - 04/12/2008
Q. I'd just like to know when the last time you saw colin barnes in the flesh, I bet he looked differently ten years ago haha, and what he may have told you before big matches such as, under 18s , reserve and first team debuts, as I may guess they are extremely proud but nerving moments in goalkeeping areas. And if he may not have said alot, I know it would be alot about techniques in a game. Thanks yet again GREGAZ. Great site, love the videos, some top saves there!
A. Thanks, the biggest thing and most helpful thing anyone ever says to me is just enjoy yourself. The reason you train everyday and work so hard is so that when the opportunity comes in a match you are ready for it and all the hard work will be worthwhile for that one you claw out of the top corner!
I always feel that you don't really need all that much technical info before you go out, just a reminder to enjoy the experience and give everything you have. You can't always play well but you can always prepare well and give it your best. That being the case you'll find you play well more often than not.
Posted by scott - 01/12/2008
Q. Hi Richard, I have still got a matchday programme that you signed for me about three years ago and I was wondering what's the best thing you have got that has been signed.
A. Hmmm, tough question, got to be in honest in that I haven't got anything signed by anyone very famous, I do however get my shirt signed every season by all the lads, have it framed and give it to my dad, he's got a room with quite a few shirts hanging up on the wall and he'll have another one after christmas!
Let hope he doesn't read this otherwise that could ruin the surprise ;-)