Richard Lee's BLog

A Return For Me But No Return at Forest

info@impaktmedia.co.uk — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Unfortunately not the desired result after a good week's training - the loss to Forest was a blow in a game where there was little to separate the two teams. A draw probably a fairer result in my eyes. Once again I’m sure we’ll pick ourselves up and bounce back on Tuesday night against Darlington.

It was a good week for me as I played in my first game since the end of last season. It was in a reserve match against Leyton Orient at Brisbane road. I haven’t being to their stadium in some time and much has changed since I last went there.

They’ve filled in the four corners with apartment blocks, a concept I haven’t seen before but it seems to have worked very effectively. I’m sure it will have provided extra revenue for Leyton Orient and also does a great job of keeping the wind out of the stadium, something you notice with stadiums that have four empty corners.

The game itself was of good quality. Although we ran out relatively comfortable winners 4-0 I had plenty to do and left the game feeling very pleased and in good shape. I only really had one save of note, an effort from close range which I reacted sharply to, to put it over the bar.

Apart from that it was a case of dealing with crosses, through-balls and plenty of kicking. The hope for me now is to kick on, hopefully be involved in the squad to face Darlington and play the reserve game the week after and then I’d feel confident in declaring myself fully fit and pushing both Poomy and Loachy for that number one spot.

Away from football it’s been quite a quiet week. I attended a goalkeeping camp on Sunday to answer some questions from some young keepers (and some not so young!) who also share the passion of trying to keep the ball out of the net.

It's always nice to meet other keepers and it's true what they say that keepers have a bond, they call it the ‘keepers union’, a mutual understanding that we all have.

We all know how it feels to make a great save and also how it feels to make a cock-up, so it's always nice to be asked to do those sort of things.

Anyway, another big week of football ahead, hopefully I’ll be writing next week and we’ll have progressed in the cup and moving up that table...

Watford Wins, Olympics And Rehab

info@impaktmedia.co.uk — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A pleasing week for all involved with WFC; a fine performance from our younger pro’s midweek and a thoroughly deserved victory over Charlton yesterday.

I think it’s fair to say too that the new style of football we displayed was widely appreciated by all those who were there.

There was also another boost with the signing of Greg Raziak. It was only a brief appearance against Charlton but he quickly showed his ability in the air and some neat touches. It could be a massive boost for the team for the rest of the season.

On a personal note I’ve been able to up my training this week and have been outside with Alec most days and am feeling sharper and sharper. There’s a reserve game Tuesday that I’m hoping to be involved in and then back into full training with the rest of the lads after that.

My knee feels as good as it’s felt for a year or so now. I’m still getting the odd sensation in my knee but I’m aware that anything I do feel isn’t making the knee any worse so providing I can make that leg as powerful as the other one then this shouldn’t be a long-term issue.

Away from football I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s been gripped by the Olympics. As I’m not fully fit, I’ve been a doing a lot of work in the brand new gym we’ve had built at the training ground. The gym has a couple of large TVs in which display either a sports news channel or the Olympics, so it's meant I haven’t missed out while doing my work to get my knee right!

It's been an incredible Olympics for the British team, when I last checked we had 10 gold medals and the promise of more to come. There’s something really inspiring about seeing an athlete who has dedicated their life in a worthy cause getting recognition for their work...most of whom are in floods of tears when collecting their medals . I've loved every minute of it - great television!

Nottingham Forest next week, fingers crossed for a fourth clean sheet and a second league win. See ya next week.

A Good Start

info@impaktmedia.co.uk — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As hoped, when the pressure was on the lads produced a good performance and came away with a creditable point at Crystal Palace - a point which could quite easily have been three on another day. I think most are in agreement that Crystal Palace will be contenders this season so I think it sets a good benchmark for games ahead.

It’s been a good week of training for the lads, after defeat last week the boss was keen to make sure we went into the Palace game with no stone unturned so double sessions ensued on Tuesday and Wednesday and then lighter sessions on Thursday and Friday in preparation.

Personally I’ve been out with Alec a few times this week, upping my training and trying to get myself match-ready. Being injured means longer days than most and I’ve been doing three sessions a day all week, one being a goalkeeping session, one an upper body session and a lower body session.

It can be quite tiring but very rewarding too, as I begin to feel myself get stronger and stronger. I’m hoping to do even more next week and then, hopefully, all being well be integrated back into full training the week after.

Quite a quiet week off the pitch, with the intensity of training getting tougher my evenings have been spent resting. It did give me chance to watch a couple of films I’ve been meaning to see, Die Hard 4.0 and Batman Begins. I’ve been wanting to see The Dark Knight as I’ve heard great things but said to myself I need to watch Batman Begins before I do that!

It looks set to be a busy few weeks ahead, this week we have two homes games and I’m sure everyone is excited to have football returning to the Vic. It’s only been a few months but it feels like so much longer...it’s been a long wait but the season is back in full swing!