Posted by Leo - 26/04/2008
Q. Hi Rich, Who do you think is the best Watford outfield player?
Honest answer please :)
A. Ha, tough question.
I always find this type of question hard because each player brings something different to the team; for instance Danny and Hendo with their power and presence, Tommy and Jobi with their technical ability, Lloyd for his consistency.
If you were to ask me who is going to be Player of the Year I believe it'll be between Danny and Tommy. Good enough?
Posted by Hornetfanatic - 23/04/2008
Q. Hello Richard, hope you don't mind me asking a couple of questions:
The first one is a little off-topic but now's my chance to finally ask this question. How does Aidy go about selecting the team for an upcoming match? If you don't mind me saying, i think Douglas Rinaldi is a great player but never gets picked and i was wondering if you could tell me what procedures the boss goes through to select the team.
Has working with such great keepers like Foster, Chamberlain, Poom and Friedel (Blackburn) made you the keeper you are today or has it al been through your own merit and achievements? I think you're such a great keeper but having vital experience with others has only benefited you in my opinion.
And finally, there has been talk of cutting down the squad if we are not promoted next season. Would you be willing to leave or would you like to stay? I've heard that if a player wants to stay, there is nothing anyone can do about it (please don't leave!).
Thanks again Rich and good luck for the rest of the season.
A. Thanks. Regarding Aidy's team selection, he picks the team he believes is best equipped to win each game and if he drops a player he'll be sure to pull them aside and tell them exactly why, which as a player is all you can ask for.
It's a tough job being a manager but he's always been very honest when he dropped me personally and, although you never liked to be dropped, you'd prefer to be told why than not.
Working with the keepers you've mentioned has undoubtedly had an impact on me, I've always been one to try and take parts from different keepers' games and use them myself.
For instance, I've tried to mirror Ben's dead-ball kicking - I don't have as much power as him but my consistency has definitely improved. Brad and Alec are both great role models for me, the way they live their lives on and off the pitch have been great examples to follow.
The biggest thing I've taken from Poomy is his work ethic; he's in the gym long after most players have gone and that's why he's been as successful as he has.
And in answer to your last question, I have no desire to leave, I have a year remaining on my contract and provided i'm still wanted then I'll still be here!
Posted by Tony Benham - 23/04/2008
Q. Richard, great website. My son is 10 coming up 11 and has been training at a centre of excellence and sometimes playing for them in some matches. He is a keeper and as a consequence of playing the C.O.E games he has not been able to play in goal for his local team as they need a regular keeper. When he does play for the local team he plays up front and has scored goals. He really wants to be a keeper but I feel it is good for him to play on pitch sometimes and gain a different view of the game but what age do you think he should concentrate on the keeping?
A. I can definitely see your thinking behind having a different perspective of the game and, not only that, if he can learn the techniques needed to be an outfield player then that'll greatly help him with his goalkeeping in the modern game.
I joined Watford when I was a similar age and that's when I really focused on becoming a keeper but I do think at that age the biggest thing is enjoyment. Providing he enjoys playing and has a willingness to learn then I'm sure he'll do well.
My Dad was quite careful with me as he really wanted me to be a footballer but I think he realised that if he was to push me too hard then I could lose the love that I have for the game.
So in answer to your question, I think he'd be best working on all areas of his game and in due course you'll both know when he'd be best to stick to goalkeeping. In my opinion the best keepers in the Premiership right now would all make decent outfield players so there's no rush, just keep the enjoyment and keep learning.
You can also greatly help this with plenty of positive comments and good feedback to him after games, which I'm sure - if you are anything like my Dad - you'll be doing already!
Posted by Rhys Evans - 21/04/2008
Q. HI Rich, how's the cap buisness going?
A. It's doing fine thanks. I tend to get asked this a lot, I think I'm better known for my appearance on Dragons Den than for my football! We currently have a shop in Leicester and we're selling some caps on eBay - it'll never make me a millionaire but it's a good sideline to have and I've learnt a lot from the whole experience of having the shop.
Posted by Stuart Gathard - 21/04/2008
Q. Hi Richard, Im a big Watford fan and i was wondering that you have been injured, dropped from the side, been sent out on loan, played in the biggest games watford have had such as v man u, captained the side this season. Does it feel hard to keep up when you are in and out of the first team squad?
A. Your mind-set is very important when it comes to being a footballer. There are very few footballers who have always been regulars in their teams and escaped injury etc.
For me it's always been a case of re-evaluating after something like this happens. You are left with a choice; do you sit and sulk and blame the world for things not going your way? Or do you take it upon yourself to try and change the situation you are given into a positive one again?
I've always found that taking the latter option has worked well for me and I'm really thankful that I've had these experiences as I believe they've helped shape me, not only as a footballer but in life.
I believe that you can always give your best, things may not always work out exactly as you'd hope but providing you give your best you can be proud of yourself whatever the result and that's something I try to live my life by.
Posted by Lauren - 21/04/2008
Q. Were you disapointed to not be at Watford when we got promoted in 2006? And did you go to Cardiff with the rest of the team?
A. Yeah I was. I went to the final but of my own accord. It looked likely I'd be moving on to Blackburn then so I had little interaction with the team at that time.
There's actually a big picture on our wall at the training ground showing the fans from that day and I can see myself in amongst the fans. So I get a constant reminder that I wasn't actually involved that day!
But it was an incredible day for the club and I can't remember ever going as crazy as I did when Darius slotted in the penalty for 3-0 and the win was assured. Great day!
Posted by Jerry Ladell - 21/04/2008
Q. Hi Richard,
Good luck on the promotion front. My son plays in goal for our village U12 side, Swavesey Spartans near Cambridge. Are there three top tips you can give him for organising his defence?
A. Three tips for organising:
1 Short commands but make them concise, for instance shouts of 'time', 'turn', 'man on' are much better than drawn out sentences. A keeper can help influence the play massively with good talking.
2. Be forceful, not in a nasty way but give the impression that you are in command and the defence will adhere to all you say.
3. Concentrate on what is the biggest danger, so for instance if you see that an opponent is in a dangerous postion he should get the attention.
And 4 (for luck) Not so much a tip for organising but be brave with your starting postion. It's unlikely that opponents will look to shoot from inside their own half so be advanced and look to come for through-balls as this can stop attacks from forming and can minimise the amount of organising that needs doing!
Posted by Ronnie - 21/04/2008
Q. Hi Richard, When you have to tell off the defence for a mistake do you have to think twice before telling big Dan Shittu?
A. Ha, yeah that can be a scary prospect! To be honest though, Dan's very good when it comes to giving and receiving critiscm.
When we play we all want the same outcome and if it means shouting at one another to get the best out of each other then that's what we'll do...although I'd always be careful not to take it too far with the big guy!
Posted by Ashley Stewart - 20/04/2008
Q. Hi Richard. First I'd like to say that I've been watching the Hornets for years, and this season it has seemed to me that you have come on leaps and bounds, especially with your kicking (definitely one of your strongest attributes now). Anyway I was wondering whether you could give me advice on corner taking. Does a goalkeeper fear a corner delivered to between the penalty spot and the D more or less than a corner delivered lower and faster to the front post?
A. Many keepers will tell you that they find crossing probably the most difficult aspect of goalkeeping, so if you are able to whip a good, fast ball in somewhere along the six-yard line keepers will find it tough to come for and I'm sure you'll get a lot of success.
It's what we try to do on our attacking corners and Danny Shittu has benefited from it big-time this season. A ball delivered towards the penalty spot probably won't bother a keeper too much initially but could also reap rewards if attacked well.
Posted by James Barber - 20/04/2008
Q. I think very highly of you and would be heart broken if you were to leave the club but my question is how highly do you rate yourself?
A. It's a tough one to answer without sounding big-headed because, as a keeper or any player for that matter, self-confidence is a massive part of playing at the highest level.
Many players verge on arrogance but when it comes to playing in front of big crowds you need to be sure of yourself otherwise your doubts will get the better of you. So to answer your question, I believe I'm very talented but I'm also realistic in that I'm not where I want to be yet so I will continue to work hard on my game until I achieve all I've set out to do.