Posted by Janet Walker - 15/04/2009

Q. hi richard i was just wondering what actually happens on a match day, like what time you have to get the stadium?

A.

Here's the script -

11.45am - report

12pm - Pre match meal

1pm - Team meeting (Discuss tactics, watch oppostion clips)

2.15pm - Warm up

2.45pm - finish warm up

3pm - Kick off

4.50pm - 3 points in the bag :)

Posted by Leo - 14/04/2009

Q. Hi Rich, As a Watford fan I was wondering about some of your team-mates, mainly ones whose contracts are expiring like yourself. Do you know whether Bennett,Young and Hendo have been offered new contracts? and do you think you will sign a new contract with us? thanks Leo

A. As far as I know I think most of those lads have a year or two remaining.  On a personal level I really want to get something sorted.  Watford is all I've ever known and despite not playing much this season I have a deep affection for the club and the life it has given me up till now.  I hope I'll stay and i hope it'll be sorted soon.  Watch this space ;)

Posted by Luke Green - 14/04/2009

Q. Hi Richard, I'm a goalie and have been for a long time, the only trouble I have is that I am very weak at diving to my left side, I try to do it but I just seem to fail, how can I improve this? Cheers, Luke.

A.

Firstly remove the word 'fail'.  There is no such thing, with each attempt to dive to your left that is unsuccessful you can learn a lesson.

  My advice would be to maybe just start on your knes and practice collapsing gently to your left concentrating on landing softly and with the angle of your body slightly forward (It is bad technique to dive backwards)  Then try doing the same thing with a ball, then gradually progress it to standing up diving.  If you can get access to a crash mat this can be great to practice throwing yourself onto and working on your technique.

  You can and will be able to dive to your left, you just haven't quite figured out how yet- but you will :-)

 

Posted by Tamsin - 12/04/2009

Q. Do you have a special diet crafted for you each day and high carb one before games? I know the Arsenal players all have to sit down and have a meal together after matches- do you guys have to do this?

A.

We are taught the benefits of nutrition and have a pre match meal together although not after the match.  Players are responsible for their own well being but most players do follow a schedule of carb loading prior to a game in order to feel at their peak during a game.

  Another important factor which I find very important is hydration.  I heard some fact the other day that something like 90% of the population in this country are dehydrated and the impact for a player on performance can be seriously damaging.  It affects energy levels and concentration which are two major factors to a player's performance.

  I believe there is still room for improvement in the area of nutrition though and I think we'll see further strides in the coming years in order to mean players really are playing at their absolute maximum week in week out.

Posted by Tami Bailey - 12/04/2009

Q. Hey, I just wanted to know how often you have to train each day and how often do you get days off?

A. A training day will normally consist of a session between 11am - 12.30pm then optional weights in the afternoon.  Our day off is usually a monday but this can depend on games, so if we had a midweek game then we won't usually get a day off.  There are times in the season when we won't get a day off for up to a month due to games but in truth the days are usually quite short so it isn't that big a deal.

Posted by Sam Chapman - 11/04/2009

Q. why are you not starting in the first team. u are better at catching the ball and decision making.

A.

Thanks, one of the great things about football is that it is a game of opinions.  I'm very confident in my abilities as a goalkeeper but I'm also very honest in my opinions of other keepers.  I think Scott is a very good keeper.

  I hope I get another chance and if I do I'll try my best to keep my spot but in the meantime I'll continue to back him up to the best of my ability.

Posted by Rob - 11/04/2009

Q. Hi Richard, i am a burnley fan and i saw you play at us this year and you were class even though we won. My question is that i have had a few trials here and then at Man Utd, Burnley and Stockport. I have also played at county level. But Every time i have had a trial the clubs have said i was too small which is probebly right as i am 5ft 8, is it worth going to any non league clubs?

A.

Thanks..  Yeh if you love playing the game then continue to strive to play at the highest standard you can, the idea of testing yourself against good opposition and doing well is something that will give you a massive buzz so I would recommend pushing yourself to be the best you can be.

  It is a shame regarding the height issue because I know these days a lot of managers do have a pre conceived notion that keepers should resemble giants but this isn't always the case and there are plenty of managers out there who will play a more talented smaller keeper, so don't lose faith or give up on your dream if you truly believe you can play at a high level.  Be the exeption to the rule and it will also come with a huge amount of satisfaction.

Posted by The Boss - 03/04/2009

Q. Hi Rich, I manage the side the DJ Whizzle Dizzle mentioned earlier. It's not just the offside thing, he's ridiculously unfit and smokes in the warm-up and at half-time - have you got any fitness tips to help him get back in the team? I've tried but he won't listen!!

A.

Ha, and there was me thinking that if it weren't for the offside problem that he'd be playing in the premier league! ;-)

Well it sounds like you've answered the question yourself, smoking has been proven over and over to have a huge impact on the lungs which in turn will not only shorten life expectancy but will seriously affect your fitness levels!  That's a start I guess!  Then of course doing various types of running will increase levels of fitness and healthy eating will increase energy levels.  Let me know how he progresses!

Posted by Jack Mawhinney - 01/04/2009

Q. Hey Richard, Is there any chance that I could get a signed goalkeeper shirt from you? Thanks

A. Hi Jack, unfortunately the shirts we have are all sponsored so I'm not allowed to give any out personally.  Of course if you were able to get your hands on a shirt then I'd be more than happy to sign it for you.  You could even get Scott, Stuart Searle and Poomy to sign it too??  Just a thought, sorry I couldn't have been of more help.

Posted by Gregg Anscomb - 30/03/2009

Q. Hey Richard, im a season ticket holder in the rookery . im 14 im 6 ft1 i love playing football , i play for my sunday league team where i play centre back nd my school team where i play centre fowardl, who are in the county cup final this thursday btw . any way when i play for my sunday club i have to take all the floor kicks becouse our keeper has a titch kick , but the last 4 years are catching up with me as my knee comes up with a shooting pain evrytime i kicks the ball hard latly, have you ever expirenced this ? nd could yu give me any tips for what to do about this problem? sorri for my spelling and thanks in advance . Gregg

A.

Well firstly I'm not a physio so I have to be a little bit careful as to what I advise as I'm not a physio!

  I did actually have knee problems as a youngster, it was a small lump under my knee called osgood schlatters disease (It probably sounds worse than it is)  It was basically due to excessive sport and the symptons were a sharp pain every time I touched it.  This lasted for a couple of years but thankfully got gradually better to the point where the lump remained but there was no pain.

  If this is what you have then all you can really do is rest and ice but I would highly recommend going to see a physio to get some educated advice!