Posted by Mark - 10/05/2008
Q. Who were your football idols when growing up and did you always want to be a goakeeper?
A. As a kid, like most keepers I liked Peter Schmeichel but once i realised I wasn't going to be 6ft 5in I decided I needed a different idol!
There are many keepers I admire, current day ones would include Brad Friedel, Ben Foster but top of the list would probably be Iker Casillas.
As a kid I played left-wing but always enjoyed being in goal and I always knew it was just a matter of time before that was the postion I'd dedicate my attention to. I made the switch when I was eight years old and haven't looked back since.
Posted by Brian Mays - 10/05/2008
Q. Hi Richard, What do you think of the current loan system? I'm not a big fan of it myself but I do understand the benefits to a player of being able to go on loan to a lower league club(typically) and getting some first team action/experience. I think it can be damaging to the team receiving the loan player sometimes as it is denying another player already at the club of a chance to develop. Just as an example, as much as I liked Ben Foster when he was at Watford and think he is a hugely talented keeper, I would rather have seen you in goal for all of the recent Premiership campaign and not just against Man Utd, when you and the rest of the guys were up against it to say the least! Loan signings can also affect the outcome of key matches too and I think the system should be changed so that if a player has already played against a team for one club then he can't play against them again for his loan club. Rant over, my apologies!
Best of luck in the play-offs mate.
A. Rather than answer this here it's the kind of subject I'll use for one of my discussion points in coming weeks.
Thanks for the question, is an interesting subject you bring up.
Posted by Chelsea Martin - 10/05/2008
Q. Hiya Richard, i'm just wondering. What other sports or hobbies do you have that you do in your spare time?
A. As a kid I used to play all sports! Cricket, basketball, tennis, golf, snooker and even chess! (that's if that can be classed as a sport?!). But with football taking up so much of my life and with rest being an important part of a footballer's life I don't get much chance to partake in much else. I do play the occassional round of golf but I haven't even played that for a year or so now!
I do watch a lot of sport on TV though. I just love competition, there's nothing quite like an event that's unscripted with two competitors or teams battling against each other in any sport.
Posted by Dan Lewis - 09/05/2008
Q. Hi Rich, im really looking forward to the play-offs and cant wait, how are you preparing yourself and do you ever feel nervous? Good luck!
A. The play-offs are a very exciting time and yes I do get a bit nervous. We all want to give our best and with that often comes nerves. I think it's a case of using the nerves in the right way and not allowing them to get the better of you.
Unfortunately the first game hasn't gone exactly as we would have hoped but we still have another game so keep the faith!
Posted by Joe Kon - 08/05/2008
Q. Hey richard...whats your normal warm up routine? what do you do to get ready? any advice for warmups when you dont have much time?
Thanks, from a yank fan of yours.
A. My normal routine would be a good jog with plenty of different movement: side steps, high knees, heels to bum etc., a good stretch followed by passing and clipping the ball 30-40yrds.
Then I run through a few drills I may have to use in a game. So volleys to chest x 8, half-volleys to chest x 8, drilled half-volley to feet for pick-up x 4, dipping volley boucing just in front of me x 4, strikes off the floor from edge of box x 12.
I may also throw in a set of low dives each side and mid dives each side depending on how energetic I felt! I'd then go into crossing from either side and some longer kicking including half-volleys and side-volleys (which i still haven't quite mastered but i will soon!)
My biggest advice when it comes to warming up though is that it really is an individual thing, you need to do whatever you need to do to make you feel confident to play a game.
The example i'd often use is Ben Foster. He could quite happily just strike balls for 30mins in a warm up, step into a game and play the game of his life. So it really is an individual thing. If you don't have much time then choose the drills you think you need to do - you don't have to do many but enough to feel confident.
By the way am impressed to get an e-mail from the States! Great stuff!
Posted by Dan Kitchen - 07/05/2008
Q. Hey rich i was watching the keeper dvd and i noticed you were in it that must have been fun being in that dvd what was it like?
A. Yeah it was a lot of fun. I thought it was a great idea to put some of the drills we do onto DVD as I know as a kid i'd have loved that and been able to learn a lot.
It was also nice to meet a few other keepers that I wouldn't normally train with. Hope the DVD has been of help to you.
Posted by Grant - 06/05/2008
Q. How long have you been playing football and what is the best part of playing?
A. I've been playing since I was about three years old, joined a team when i was six (as a left-winger!) then joined Watford at the age of 10.
I get great enjoyment out of putting into games what i do in practice, so making a great save gives me a big buzz. But i'd have to say the best part is of course winning...we all love to win!
Posted by Gavin S - 04/05/2008
Q. Hi Richard. Can you give me any tips on how to improve my keeping? Thanks.
A. I could speak for hours on this subject and I've mentioned quite a few things in my Discussion Point this week.
My main advice would be quite simple: work harder than anyone else and enjoy what you are doing. By following that you won't go far wrong!
Posted by Gavin - 04/05/2008
Q. Hi Richard. I was just wondering, when you were younger how did you get your trials for watford?
A. I was very young when I joined Watford and for me it was a case of a Watford scout coming to one of my Sunday League games. As it turned out we won the game 10-0 and I didn't touch the ball! So my Sunday League manager at the time recommended me for a trial and it began from there.
As a kid, if you are looking for a trial at a club my advice would be to write to them, explain your situation and your desire to play football. As far as I know clubs have to respond and most will give kids a trial of some sort or maybe get a scout to come watch a game.
The last thing any club would want would be to miss out on talent that could be worth a lot in the future.
Posted by Sam Wallis - 04/05/2008
Q. Hey Richard. Congratulations on getting into the play-offs. I'd like to ask a couple of questions. Firstly was wondering out of the three other teams in the play-offs who would you have rather of played? And secondly who you voted for in the players player of the year?
A. Thanks. Regarding the play-offs I don't think any of us really had a preference - maybe Palace, only as it's a bit closer than Hull! No to be honest I think years gone by have shown that anyone can win it so we have to be prepared to beat anyone. I think being drawn against Hull will mean that we will now be considered by many as underdogs which could work in our favour.
As for player of the season I'm not sure whether I'm allowed to divulge who I voted for! Ok I guess i'm allowed... I voted for Tom, i think he's been most consistent this season in my opinion.