Posted by john howes - 13/05/2009

Q. cheers richard for the gloves you gave me at carrow road you are a nice bloke it was a pleaser to meet you. i keep asking about boots do you wear a size to small

A. No worries..  Yeh I guess I technically do wear a size too small then I wear them in the bath to stretch them to mould to my feet.  This is just what I do though, I wouldn't recommend it as my toes are now quite badly out of shape!!

Posted by Tami B - 10/05/2009

Q. This question isnt relating specifically to being a GK but its something that Ive wondered about for a while so am hoping u can answer it 4 me...Why is it that after matches players who get subbed off just sit on the bench with the rest of the team (unless they strop off to the changing rooms). I was always taught warming down was very important to avoid injury but players just sit straight down until the match ends.....wont they be doing damage to their muscles?

A.

It's a valid point.  We warm down after every training session with a series of stretches we go through but on a match day this won't happen.  There is however a state of the art ice bath in our changing room that the lads have to go in for 7 minutes after a game.  I'm not sure what the exact temperature is of the bath but it really is cold!

  So although there isn't a physical warm down on the day this does help the body recover.  The normal schedule after a game will be to report the following day to do a proper warm down, this will involve 20 mins spinning on the bike and a series of stretching.  As keepers we generally do something slightly different as we don't exert ourselves in quite the same way on the pitch.

  I've always found it particularly hard to sleep in the days following a game due to the adrenaline and nerves experienced on a match day but physically I usually feel fine although often a bit battered and bruised!

Posted by Ben Linkston - 10/05/2009

Q. Hello again, I would like to start off with thanking you for making a quick reply and I would also like to compliment your wonderful website that seems to be very popular. But I am concerned that you do not seem to be taking the threat of Swine Flu as seriously as you should. I notice how all other questions have received much bigger answer. Keep up the good work with Watford, and congratulations with your new contract. I wish you the best of luck in the future, Thanks for your time, Ben

A. I do apologise Ben, I guess I just don't take the threat all that seriously.  In my opinion the media does this every now and then, they come up with something that worries the nation only for it to turn out to be something minor.  I may be proved wrong but I hope I'll be proved right :)

Posted by Rob Zand - 09/05/2009

Q. Hi Richard, thanks for the advice on gym exercises and supplements! I'm 18, am a keeper, Ive played county level and had a trial with a pro club last season and im looking to play semi-pro this season coming and try and get myself spotted that way. Do you think this is possible? and do you have any tips on what scouts look for? thanks again, Rob.

A.

Yeah I think it's definately possible, in fact I think it's a great way of going about it.  All being well you'll be playing in a good standard of football at a young age, for a start this is something scouts look for.  They'll obviously look at general technique, your body language (Do you exude confidence etc) and how positive you are in the game itself.  Often you don't have to do much to get noticed. 

  I would also recommend that you let people know what you are doing , it'd be great if a random scout came down and noticed you but don't be afraid to force their hand a bit, let everyone know who you are and that you are good enough to make it, you have the power to design your own destiny.

Posted by Kaz - 07/05/2009

Q. It'z me again..lol, speaking of the fame and money, do you find that some footballers go over the top with like things such as cars etc? I'm a chelsea supporter but am interested in the way footballers & goalkeepers play. Football iz a team sport but do you find that there iz alot of pressure on the golakeeper in order to help the team do well as you have to like save the goalz etc? Thanks again,a nd you have avery good website=).

A.

Thanks!

  I think it's not just footballers that like to show off when it comes to money, most people that have it do.  There are lots of different view when it comes to money but footballers are fortunate enough to earn large sums of it and they all decide to use it in different ways.  I'm quite reserved in that I like to invest in many different things, that gives me a buzz whereas some lads like to buy cars and expensive jewelry, clothes etc.  One way or another though most people manage to spend it!  So I wouldn't ever judge anyone for what they do with their money, most people that have it have worked hard to have it so what they do with it is up to them.

  Regarding your other question, yeh I think there is a considerable amount of pressure on a goalkeeper but there's pros and cons to the pressure.  A big pro would be that you have the opportunity to be a hero and a big con that you could be the villian!  I think it's just a case of having a personality that can handle both situations in the right way.  The best keepers in the world have the strongest mental outlook on the game in my opinion.

Posted by Ed Henderson - 07/05/2009

Q. hi richard, i love playing in goal but havn't really tried it out probably ( i normally play in defence, but really enjoy playing in goal ), do you think you would ever consider giving lessons to someone who was 15? As i would love to progress and would dedicate alot of my time to playing. (however i know that this is highly, highly unlikely) Pleased that you have signed a new contract, would be great to see you play again next season! Cheers Richard you are a ledgend, ed :)

A.

Thanks mate...

  As it goes I will be opening a goalkeeping school as of september at the Powerleague pitches in Bushey for young keepers who want to improve their goalkeeping.  I'll be sure to make a big deal of it one here when my website for that is produced.  I'll look forward to coaching you ;)

 

Posted by john howes - 07/05/2009

Q. so i am a size 8 wat size would you recamend to me and do all footy players where boots too small

A.

It's all down to personal preference.  I personally like them to be tight but not to the point that it hurts but that's just my opinion.  After I get a pair of boots I'll wear them in the bath so that they mould exactly to the shape of my feet.  So I wouldn't recommend you get a pair too small because I'll probably get letters of complaint from both your doctor and your mum!

  I would recommend that you experiment, I for instance never used to wear white boots but I've found a pair of white boots that I really like, they are comfortable and I strike a good ball in them so they'll be my boots for next season.

Posted by Rob Zand - 07/05/2009

Q. Hi Richard, firstly great website! Secondly, I was wondering what exercises you do in the gym, upper and lower body? And finally do you take any supplements in order to help with building strength, power? E.g. protein shakes, Thanks, Rob.

A.

Thanks Rob,

  Yeh I do take protein shakes twice a day when doing my weights.  I'll usually have the shake along with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, banana's, pineapple etc.  I'll have one first thing as it's a great way to start a day and maybe one before bed.  Maximuscle is quite expensive but is proven to help with muscle recovery and muscle building.

  regarding what I do in the gym, I focus a lot on basic exercises such as squats followed by some form of plyometric program.  It's a basic theory but the stronger your legs are then the higher you'll be able to jump and the more power you'll have in your kicks etc.

  I'll also do calf raises, hamstring curls and quad extentions, again all to condition the legs.  Each exercise using heavy weights with low reps and keeping a note of my progress.  For upper body I'll do the bench press followed by an exercise for the back.  Shoulder Press is a good exercise and I'll always do plenty of core work, sit ups, planks etc.  Bicep curl and Tricep curl are also useful for general conditioning.

  Be careful when doing your weights, for a keeper it's far more important to be quick and supple rather than big and bulky.  I would highly recommend doing a Yoga course alongside your weights to give you that balance.

Posted by Matt - 04/05/2009

Q. Hi Rich I'm a big admier of goalkeepers, particularly those at watford (my club) like yourself and Loachy. I was just wondering what your opinion of the younger Gk's like Searle, Antal and North are. Who is the most likely to break in to the first team set-up? Also I was shocked to hear that Mart (an amazing keeper in my view) had been released after coming back to full fitness? - Could you shed any light on that situation? Cheers.

A.

I think the situation with Poomy was purely financial, he was one of the highest earners at the club and with the situation the club finds itself in they couldn't justify having 4 first team keepers on their books.  But you are right Poomy is a top keeper and has had a fantastic career so far.

  Regarding the other keepers, they all have talent, Stu is actually not all that young, he's 30 but is a big guy who is a very steady keeper.  If called upon next season I have no doubt he'd put in a solid performance, he kicks the ball and a long way and is technically very sound.

  I'm a big fan of Northy as I see a keeper similar to myself.  Although not regarded as the tallest he has fantastic spring and quick feet.  The rest of his game is very solid and I sincerely hope he's still wth us next season.

  Bo has all the attributes to be the very best.  He stands at 6ft7 and has awesome spring.  He hasn't quite progressed how he would have liked this season but I feel he's probably one good season away from being something special but whether he becomes that is purely up to him.  I hope he does as hes a lovely lad but it hasn't quite happened yet.

Posted by kaz - 01/05/2009

Q. I have two questions hers for you, firstly, what made you want to play football? and Do you stay in hotels before home matches, or just away matches?

A.

We stay in hotels for away matches only..

  Regarding wanting to be a footballer there are quite a few perks.  Firstly loving the challenge of a game of football, I've always been competitive, whatever sport it may be, so to be able to do it infront of big crowds give a real buzz that is hard to replicate.  There is the buzz of winning which again is hard to match.

  The lifestyle that comes with being a footballer means you are in essence getting paid to keep fit, training hours, although intense, are usually quite short so there is plenty of hours left in the day to focus on other areas of your life that bring you joy.  Some may point to the fame and power aspect also.  I would agree with the power aspect in that it allows you to help people that you wouldn't be able to do in most other occupations.  I love the fact that I can make a difference, however small it may be.

  Anyway there's a few reasons :) Thanks for your question..