Posted by chris - 17/06/2008
Q. Hi. I want to know if you ever get put off by the crowd because i get put off by the other parents? I play for a team called Acorn Raiders. Have you ever thought about playing in a different position?
A. I've always been aware of the crowd but it is important that I don't get put off by them. I make an effort to use whatever the crowd are saying to my advantage.
For instance if it's the opposition saying nasty things then I make it my goal to beat not only the opposition but them too! And if it's our fans singing then I make it my goal to ensure they continue to be positive towards us and continue to cheer for us.
Simple psychology - but it works for me! So my advice would be to try and use whatever the parents are saying to your advantage and use it to spur you on.
When I was younger I used to play left-wing but I wasn't quick enough or skilful enough! I've always enjoyed playing in goal and I can't see that changing.
Posted by tai - 07/06/2008
Q. What is it like to be a goalkeeper? I am one but im only 7 years old? And what is your favourite ground except Watford's ground?
A. Well I've always enjoyed it! For me it is a position that you have to be prepared to be quite strong-minded as when you let in a goal it can be easy to blame a keeper but, on the other hand, if you make a great save it might the one that wins a game for your team!
I began playing in goal at eight years old so you have a head start on me! My favourite ground that I've played at would have to be Old Trafford. I went there a few times as a boy with my Dad to watch games and to actually be on the pitch playing was incredible. I also enjoyed St. James' Park (Newcastle) too; the atmosphere there is amazing.
Posted by daniel willis - 31/05/2008
Q. Hi, I have always been intrigued by the pre-match preparation in the dressing room...do you have any specific routine or superstitions that you follow?And do any of the other players have anything out of the ordinary in their routine?
A. I used to have a few superstitions, one I used to have was that i kept a 'lucky stone'. Ridiculous at it may sound, I'd always take it to games with me and like many others I'd put on my shirt last (before my gloves obviously!).
But then, after breaking an elbow, a cheek and getting concussion, I started to doubt these superstitions! I then always found them to be very limiting; for instance, what if I was to leave my lucky stone at home? I could then suddenly believe that I was going to have a bad game - which again sounds ridiculous but if you have a superstition then any change in it can throw you off.
Regarding the other lads there's none that spring to mind, I'm sure a few of them do but none elaborate enough to be noticed by others. I remember the likes of Paul Ince not being able to put his shirt on before he got out of the tunnel but there's nothing quite like that at our place.
Posted by Tom from Lowecroft - 30/05/2008
Q. i have heard that you fancy yourself a little on wii olympics? is this true?
A. Certainly is true!! Yet to be beaten! ;-)
Posted by Joseph Dore - 28/05/2008
Q. Hey Buddy ,
Just a Quick one . I've seen you on Dragon's Den in the past - have you ever considered being on a reality TV show? Big Brother starts this Friday!!!
A. Ha ha. It'd be quite fun, I reckon, but I don't like the idea of Big Brother. If I had the chance to do 'I'm a Celebrity' however, I'd go for that - the physical side of the stuff they do on there I enjoy...and you get a bit more freedom as you're not quite so penned in.
Posted by Alex - 26/05/2008
Q. Hi Richard. I was wondering: what do you call Aidy, does he make you call him gaffer or do you just call him Aidy? Also have you heard any rumours about new signings coming in or players going out?
A. Personally, I call him 'Boss' but he's very lenient with it. He doesn't insist on anything in particular. A few of the lads call him Aidy but most call him Gaffer. It's a kind of respect thing, I think.
Just for comparison, everyone called Ray 'Gaffer' but that wasn't because he was distant, I think it was because there was a little age gap and it seemed right. He was Ray when he was running the reserves but 'Gaffer' kind of came along naturally for the lads I think.
As for comings and goings - sorry, you'll have to ask the Boss :-)
Posted by nick - 25/05/2008
Q. Hi. I was just wondering what you will be getting up to in your summer break and will you be hoping to be wearing the no.1 jersey next season?
Also, check out mine and my mate's myspace site and let me know what you think.
A. I have a holiday booked next Saturday. I'm going to Florida for a couple of weeks with my girlfriend.
Then after I get back I'm going to Spain with Alec Chamberlain and Ben Foster the day after for a bit of golf! So that should be a fun break.
Yeah I am hopeful of being number one. But whether i'm number one or not won't change much in how I approach next season.
Also I had chance to look through your page - very impressed!
Posted by kirsty p - 23/05/2008
Q. Hi Richard. Just wondering if you have thought about going on that tv show "Beat the Star" on ITV?
A. I have to be honest I don't know what the show's about! What's the idea of it? Let me know and who knows!
Posted by Andrew Flynn - 15/05/2008
Q. I am a big fan of yours and would have had you second to Tommy for player of the season. i have to ask about Hull's first goal in the second leg, what happened?
Does it annoy you that if a defender is at fault for a goal it's quickly forgotten as where for a goalkeeper to make a mistake its much more highlighted?
A. Thanks, as I mentioned in another one of my answers, the ball looped up and my initial thought was that the ball was there to be caught. Unfortunately I made a misjudgement and couldn't get to the ball in time and then couldn't recover.
I'll always take responsibility when I believe I could've done better and I hold my hands up on that one.
You are right in that, unfortunately, being a keeper mistakes are often remembered longer. I haven't made many this season but people still seem to ask me about the Charlton one I made a few months ago before mentioning the games I played at West Brom and Stoke for instance,
But that's football and I'm big enough and ugly enough to deal with that!
Posted by Marc Brigginshaw - 15/05/2008
Q. Rich, great site.
We were at the game last night and really felt we were in with a shout after the early goal. Having read your comments in another question about keepers' starting positions and being positive around the box it's my opinion that in trying to do so last night you got caught out a bit.
Do you think as I do that the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to taking chances coming off your line and that 9 times out of 10 you'll snuff out the risk before it becomes a goal scoring opportunity as you have done many times of late with your trademark star jump in the face of strikers that aren't expecting you to be so advanced?
Seems to me that the role of a keeper has changed over the years, Alec was never one for racing off his line but was a great keeper in his day. Things have changed and I think that a keeper has to do a lot more work around the box nowadays and as such is a lot more vulnerable to so called gaffs. Last night was a night for taking risks, you took one and it didn’t come off. At least you gave it your best.
A. Thanks, I fully agree with what you say.
I have always tried to be positive in my decision-making as it has worked well for me over the years.
I admire keepers that play that way and yes, it did catch me out on wednesday. When the ball looped up my first though was can I get this before the striker. Unfortunately after taking three steps I realised I wasn't going to get there and had no chance of recovering. The harsh reality of being a keeper is that despite whatever else I did in that game, that will be the moment that is remembered.
It's not nice but I can live with that and it won't change how I play as a keeper.