Posted by Samuel Tulett - 20/04/2008
Q. Hi Richard. With the summer approaching, im sure you'll enjoy the break but with such a long break do miss playing alot? Do you meet up with the rest of the team during the summer to play for fun? Good luck for the final few games!
A. I'm the same every year in that I love having a break but within a couple of weeks of being away from the training ground I miss it!
I have been known in years gone by to meet up with one or two of the lads and we'll go to Cassiobury park to have a kick-about but I generally stick to the gym in the summer - that is unless I want to work on a specific area of my game, i.e. when I wanted to improve my dead-ball kicking and, this summer, my aim to come back having perfected the side-volley.
Posted by Gary Ramsbottom - 20/04/2008
Q. Hi Rich. Great site!! What's your proudest moment in football so far?
A. A lot of my proudest moments have come in recent times; playing in the semi-final of the FA Cup was a great moment but I'd have to say being named captain of Watford. I've been with the club a long time and to be named captain was an incredible honour.
Posted by Mark Gilmour - 20/04/2008
Q. Hi Richard,
Firstly a big thankyou for presenting my nephew with a signed glove before the Coventry game following the incident when a ball hit him in the face. My question is what team do you support?
A. I'm glad your lad is ok, that ball hit him quite hard! As a kid I supported Man Utd, my dad being a big factor behind that decsion! Buying me a shirt at a young age sealed the deal! I still look to see how they get on and would want them to finish ahead of Chelsea this season but the passion I had towards them has definately wilted over the years. I think a major reason is that being part of any club as i have for so long you can't help but have a connection with that club and become a fan yourself.
Posted by Gill & John in Crete - 20/04/2008
Q. Richard, I’d like to know if you feel any different between the following.
The defence lets you down and a goal is scored which you had no hope of saving.
You let a goal in which you feel you should have saved.
A. That's a tough question! . . It's never nice conceding. You are naturally disappointed when you know you are to blame, when this happens the next challenge is to ensure it has no bearing on the rest of your game. Mistakes will happen but then it's up to the individual as to whether they dent the confidence or not. Even when I concede knowing I didn't have a chance it still hurts as ultimately it is a team game, as much as I want to put in good individual performances every week it's always more important that the team succeeds.
Posted by Michael Duffy - 20/04/2008
Q. Hi Rich, I think your doing really well so far. I am a gk who plays for an under 13's side and im a bit worried to tell players to get to the back and front post what do you do?
A. Thanks! :-) . . I remember when I was young and I had a similar problem with telling team mates what they should be doing. With age i've come to realise that when you are playing football you need to be quite forceful when you are playing. If you want them to cover the posts you need to tell them because you are in charge back there. They may not want to do it but if it stops a goal then they'll all be thanking you later!
Posted by Emma Trill - 19/04/2008
Q. During your time at Watford, who is the player you have most admired?
A. I've been lucky to have been here alongside many top players. The ones that come to mind would be Paul Robinson for his desire to win at all costs, Alec Chamberlain for his dedication and true professionalism from which I've learnt much and having worked with Lloyd Doyley I've seen first hand the strides he's taken over the years. Ashley Young and Ben Foster are also great examples of what can be achieved, both having major setbacks but coming through them to now play at the very top level. To choose just one would be too tough!
Posted by Richard Lee - 11/04/2008
Q. Who is your idol?
A. Iker Cassillas, he’s a similar age to me and he’s played for Real Madrid regularly since the age of 17. He’s the most talented keeper I’ve ever seen and someone I aspire to.
Posted by Richard Lee - 11/04/2008
Q. Do you get nervous before games?
A. Yes. It’s another area of my game that I’ve put a lot of effort into as the mental side of the game is just as important as the physical side.
When I was younger I used to get terrible nerves, nerves that would hinder my performance. As I’ve grown up I’ve realised that you get nervous for a positive reason, it’s basically your mind preparing your body for the task at hand and the nerves can greatly help with performance if channelled correctly.
So although I still get nervous I choose to view it as excitement and commit myself to keeping a positive outlook for the game ahead.
Posted by Richard Lee - 11/04/2008
Q. Does it bother you that people always mention your kicking ability when they talk about you?
A. I’ve kind of got used to it now, I find that people like to label each other and I believe that’s a label I’ve acquired. Obviously I’d much rather it be that I’m a fantastic kicker but in time I’m sure I can turn that opinion of myself if I keep working on that area of my game and keep putting in consistent kicking performances as I believe I have done this season.
In my opinion I believe it to be one of the stronger areas of my game now, but people will have their opinions and that’s part of the fun of football, we all love to have an opinion on everyone and even the best players in the world receive criticism.
I’ve learnt to take it as a compliment that people are even talking about you because as most footballers will tell you, they’d rather that than not being mentioned at all.
Posted by Richard Lee - 11/04/2008
Q. What would you have done if you weren't a footballer?
A. I was fortunate enough to attend a very good school and thankfully I left school to join Watford at the age of 16 with good GCSE grades behind me so the chances are I’d have carried on to take my A levels and attend university but this was something that I never really gave too much thought as I joined Watford at a young age and being a footballer was always my dream.
If football wasn’t an option then the idea of being a golfer appeals and is something I’ve always enjoyed playing.