Posted by ed - 29/03/2009

Q. hi richard, hope all is well! how often do players, at watford, get new boots, gloves(for you) and kit? And how do the players order/choose their boots? i was also wandering if their was any chance you could slip me a shirt, ball or anything at the next home match?! (I sit in the vicarage road stand near the front just to the side of the goal) :) good luck for the rest of the seaon :) ed

A.

Well most of the lads are fortunate in that they get boots etc for free from one of the top brands.  I for instance have a glove deal with Sells so receive gloves for free and Umbro supply with boots.  There's no money involved but the companies are willing to do this as it's good advertising for their product for there boots to be worn by professional footballer.

  Unfortunately I can't help regarding the shirt or ball as Bob the kit man might actually kill me!  He's definately big enough and strong enough to do so!!

See you at the next game :)

Posted by Jon Ellis - 28/03/2009

Q. Hi Richard i am just askin u for some advice .I am 13 now & i am a goalkeeper not at a team but do u thing it is not 2 late for a non league team when i am older if good enough.

A. Definately not too old, I'll use Ben Foster as an example, he only took up goalkeeping a 16 and now at 26 he's just played his second game for England!  If you have natural ability and a passion for the game then who knows!

Posted by Brad simpson - 24/03/2009

Q. hi rich i recieved another letter from another club but they said they werent looking for players in my posistion. Do you think i should write to clubs in the conference and try my luck there? also you got any tips for cross taking because sometimes im not always sure for what ones to come for. Thanks

A.

Yeah definately try conference clubs, many of the tops players began their careers at this level as it's a very competitive level and provides a great grounding for a young player wanting to progress.  There are always plenty of scouts at non league games looking for the next superstar so is well worth writing to them.

  Regarding crossing, a massive detail that is often not touched upon is that of positioning.  The more advanced you are the more crosses you are able to come for.  I would also advice plenty of practice, it doesnt have to be intensive practice but getting your timing right and consistantly catching the ball at the highest point will undoubtably improve with practice.  Lastly, look to attack the ball late, the reason being is that you attack the ball with more momentum so more chance of getting through a crowd of players and emerging with the ball.

Posted by joe - 24/03/2009

Q. Hi Richard. sorry, didnt mean to sound like I was bragging on my last message. I have got a question for you this time. I was playing on Sunday and i got a pain in the side of my calf which got worse. i had to come of at the end of the first period as i coudnt move very well. The phyhsio said it was because iam growing, which is good but it still dont feel any better and we play cambridge united on sunday and i really want to play as its a big derby game for us. My question is, did you miss any games when you were younger because of growing pains? Joe

A. Hi Joe, yeh I did get growing pains, mine came in the shape of pains in my knees.  I wouldn't worry too much although it can be frustrating if you have to miss games because of them.  I hope you were able to play against Cambridge but fi the problems have got worse then I'd advise getting advice from a physio so they can give you exercises to complete that will help fix your problem :)

Posted by john howes - 23/03/2009

Q. thanks alot richard i will see you and say who i am and i will be out side the ground after the game near the coach. my name is john. do you still have sells gloves they are amazing. this is a bit random but do you wear a sock under your football socks coz when i do my boots slip. wb cheers and by the way i like the sells dvd very good you made some great saves on it. wb cheers richard

A. Ok John, I'll look out for you, yeah they are still Sells :) ..  I don't actually wear an extra pair of socks but I know Scott likes to wear a pair of white socks instead of the football socks, this is very much a personal choice.  So if you find it slips with the white socks then I'd advise you not to do this, you wouldn't want a slip costing you a goal!

Posted by DJ Whizzle Dizzle - 23/03/2009

Q. Hi Rich. I'm playing for a Watford supporter team at the moment as a winger, but I'm really struggling to get into the side because I'm rubbish at staying onside, even though I'm sure I'm usually onside more often than not. How annoying is it for you when decisions don't go your way in games? Whats the best way to stay calm? Cheers mate, keep it up, Warren

A.

It can be tough when you feel hard done by, we've had a few occassions this year when we've felt particularly upset due to big decisions going against us but unfortunately there's very little you can do.  The biggest thing we are told is to not allow any decision, positive or negative to affect you.

  The reason being is that, in theory, it shouldn't change anything.  In a perfect world you would play a game of football with a positive mindset from minute 1 to minute 90 and there will be several decisions that go for you and several that will go against you but if you can keep your cool then you'll give yourself a better chance of succeeding.  As I said this is easier said that done but by keeping this in mind it'll certainly help.

Posted by John Howes - 18/03/2009

Q. Hi Richard i rate you very highly i was wondering if i could have a pair of your gloves for the norwich away game i collect goalkeeper gloves for keepers in championship thanks richard wb

A. Sure, introduce yourself to me after the game and I'll make sure I put a spare pair in my bag.

Posted by JOE - 18/03/2009

Q. , ShayGot a pair of sells aqua wrapp after watching the dvd of you and the other keepers useing them. Wore them on sunday againts luton town. we got beat 5-0 but my coach said i reminded him of shay given when newcastle lost to liverpool 5-0. the gloves were immense, everything just stuck. have had auhlsport and sellsport before but these gloves are awesome. My match mark was 9 as well. joe

A. Well that is quite a compliment, Shay Given was awesome that game.  I've just realised there isn't a question here for me to answer, you were just writing to brag weren't you?!  ;) jokes, well done.

Posted by Matt Peet - 17/03/2009

Q. Hi Richard i wanna ask you about injuries, i play sunday lague and in the last 2 seasons ive broken a rib, 2 finger tips, my little finger and last week i broke my collar bone. Im considering giving up the game as i have a family and mortgage but im really determined to get over my latest setback and carry on, hopefully improving. Ive changed my gloves to Reusch ortho-tec`s (which are outstanding!) and this has sorted my finger problems out, but do you have any advice for preventing injuies? P.S im a huge Watford fan and agree we can make the play-offs, we won 6 in a row under taylor to do it in `99 so wouldnt put it past us, good luck gettin no:1 jersey back, and tell loachy to wear a hat next time for those crosses! lol Cheers Richard!

A.

Wow you really have had some bad luck and I thought I'd been unlucky! ;)

  There are methods to reduce the risk of injury but from the sounds of things you are generally getting breaks which in truth can't really be avoided.   But if it makes you feel any better most footballers will only get 1-2 breaks in a career maximum so in theory you've now had your fair share!  Whatever drills you've been given by your physiotherapist, I would make you sure you do them well as they'll be very important in ensuring that you return to 100% fitness.

    I would of course advise you to keep faith and fight through the injuries, if you are like me then you will get a massive buzz from playing football, one that you may find hard to find elsewhere, so for that reason alone I will continue to play until I am unable to do so anymore.

  I hope you are right regarding the run in, we might've made it tough for ourselves after the Cardiff game but you never know!!

Posted by Adam - 16/03/2009

Q. Hi Richard Its great to see that we have played much better in recent games and are looking safer from the drop. As a long time fan, I can't help but relate our revival to the arrival of Our Lord GT in the boardroom - has he had any words with the players or coaching staff? Obviously I don't want to detract fron BRs good work but it does seem to have help Why do you think Tamas has suddenly become a goal machine? Has it been the coaching or something he has done personally. Form and confidence are difficult to measure but its great to see us play with both.

A.

In truth I don't think anyone's seen GT yet, I'm sure Brendan is in contact with him but he hasn't been in to see the players yet.  I'll look forward to seeing him as he was the one who signed me as a pro originally as an 18 year old.  Obviously the players were happy to see him come on board, he is a living legend at Watford.

  Regarding Tamas, I think the potential has always been there.  he is a very gifted lad and this season with the departures of Darius and of course Marlon last season I guess it's been his opportunity to step up and he's definately done that.

  It really does show how someone can turn things around though as I think it's fair to say her wasn't a fans favourite last season but this season I think he's got to be a contender for player of the year, I'm so pleased for him.