Posted by daniel willis - 31/05/2008
Q. Hi, I have always been intrigued by the pre-match preparation in the dressing room...do you have any specific routine or superstitions that you follow?And do any of the other players have anything out of the ordinary in their routine?
A. I used to have a few superstitions, one I used to have was that i kept a 'lucky stone'. Ridiculous at it may sound, I'd always take it to games with me and like many others I'd put on my shirt last (before my gloves obviously!).
But then, after breaking an elbow, a cheek and getting concussion, I started to doubt these superstitions! I then always found them to be very limiting; for instance, what if I was to leave my lucky stone at home? I could then suddenly believe that I was going to have a bad game - which again sounds ridiculous but if you have a superstition then any change in it can throw you off.
Regarding the other lads there's none that spring to mind, I'm sure a few of them do but none elaborate enough to be noticed by others. I remember the likes of Paul Ince not being able to put his shirt on before he got out of the tunnel but there's nothing quite like that at our place.
Posted by Tom from Lowecroft - 30/05/2008
Q. i have heard that you fancy yourself a little on wii olympics? is this true?
A. Certainly is true!! Yet to be beaten! ;-)
Posted by Joseph Dore - 28/05/2008
Q. Hey Buddy ,
Just a Quick one . I've seen you on Dragon's Den in the past - have you ever considered being on a reality TV show? Big Brother starts this Friday!!!
A. Ha ha. It'd be quite fun, I reckon, but I don't like the idea of Big Brother. If I had the chance to do 'I'm a Celebrity' however, I'd go for that - the physical side of the stuff they do on there I enjoy...and you get a bit more freedom as you're not quite so penned in.
Posted by Alex - 26/05/2008
Q. Hi Richard. I was wondering: what do you call Aidy, does he make you call him gaffer or do you just call him Aidy? Also have you heard any rumours about new signings coming in or players going out?
A. Personally, I call him 'Boss' but he's very lenient with it. He doesn't insist on anything in particular. A few of the lads call him Aidy but most call him Gaffer. It's a kind of respect thing, I think.
Just for comparison, everyone called Ray 'Gaffer' but that wasn't because he was distant, I think it was because there was a little age gap and it seemed right. He was Ray when he was running the reserves but 'Gaffer' kind of came along naturally for the lads I think.
As for comings and goings - sorry, you'll have to ask the Boss :-)
Posted by nick - 25/05/2008
Q. Hi. I was just wondering what you will be getting up to in your summer break and will you be hoping to be wearing the no.1 jersey next season?
Also, check out mine and my mate's myspace site and let me know what you think.
A. I have a holiday booked next Saturday. I'm going to Florida for a couple of weeks with my girlfriend.
Then after I get back I'm going to Spain with Alec Chamberlain and Ben Foster the day after for a bit of golf! So that should be a fun break.
Yeah I am hopeful of being number one. But whether i'm number one or not won't change much in how I approach next season.
Also I had chance to look through your page - very impressed!
Posted by kirsty p - 23/05/2008
Q. Hi Richard. Just wondering if you have thought about going on that tv show "Beat the Star" on ITV?
A. I have to be honest I don't know what the show's about! What's the idea of it? Let me know and who knows!
Posted by Andrew Flynn - 15/05/2008
Q. I am a big fan of yours and would have had you second to Tommy for player of the season. i have to ask about Hull's first goal in the second leg, what happened?
Does it annoy you that if a defender is at fault for a goal it's quickly forgotten as where for a goalkeeper to make a mistake its much more highlighted?
A. Thanks, as I mentioned in another one of my answers, the ball looped up and my initial thought was that the ball was there to be caught. Unfortunately I made a misjudgement and couldn't get to the ball in time and then couldn't recover.
I'll always take responsibility when I believe I could've done better and I hold my hands up on that one.
You are right in that, unfortunately, being a keeper mistakes are often remembered longer. I haven't made many this season but people still seem to ask me about the Charlton one I made a few months ago before mentioning the games I played at West Brom and Stoke for instance,
But that's football and I'm big enough and ugly enough to deal with that!
Posted by Marc Brigginshaw - 15/05/2008
Q. Rich, great site.
We were at the game last night and really felt we were in with a shout after the early goal. Having read your comments in another question about keepers' starting positions and being positive around the box it's my opinion that in trying to do so last night you got caught out a bit.
Do you think as I do that the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to taking chances coming off your line and that 9 times out of 10 you'll snuff out the risk before it becomes a goal scoring opportunity as you have done many times of late with your trademark star jump in the face of strikers that aren't expecting you to be so advanced?
Seems to me that the role of a keeper has changed over the years, Alec was never one for racing off his line but was a great keeper in his day. Things have changed and I think that a keeper has to do a lot more work around the box nowadays and as such is a lot more vulnerable to so called gaffs. Last night was a night for taking risks, you took one and it didn’t come off. At least you gave it your best.
A. Thanks, I fully agree with what you say.
I have always tried to be positive in my decision-making as it has worked well for me over the years.
I admire keepers that play that way and yes, it did catch me out on wednesday. When the ball looped up my first though was can I get this before the striker. Unfortunately after taking three steps I realised I wasn't going to get there and had no chance of recovering. The harsh reality of being a keeper is that despite whatever else I did in that game, that will be the moment that is remembered.
It's not nice but I can live with that and it won't change how I play as a keeper.
Posted by Joe w - 13/05/2008
Q. Hi Richard. I was wondering who is the best player you've ever played against / with? Also how did you feel about jordan getting released a couple of days ago? Many thanks!
A. I'd have to say best player I've played against is Cristiano Ronaldo, I think he's been incredible for the past couple of seasons and is the best player in the world right now for me.
Best player I've played with is a tough one but on current form you'd have to say Ashley Young. He's gone off to Villa and really made a name for himself. He's a really nice lad too, so we're all really pleased for him.
Regarding Jordan, as far as I know it was a mutual decision, his contract was up in the summer so it was agreed by both parties that he could leave. Jordan certainly made an impression around the training ground; a great person to be around, always smiling and joking around and I'm sure he'll find himself a good club.
Posted by Em Hebbs - 13/05/2008
Q. Hi Richard, this is the first time i have seen your website and must say it looks really good and is a great idea. I saw on one of your pages that you say the higher you aim the more the achieve. I just wanted to know what it is you do to keep motivated when things don't seem to be moving and how you handle the pressure. Thank you and good luck.
A. Thanks. We all have our own different motivations I believe.
For me it's always a case of keeping that higher vision in sight, I know what my ultimate goals are so I try to make sure that all my actions are in line with those goals. It's these goals that give me the energy required to put in my all everyday knowing that these goals will give me rewards, both externally and internally.
It's quite timely you ask this as I'm writing this the day after our defeat to Hull and sometimes it can be tough when you feel like you've given everything yet haven't got the outcome you feel you deserved. For me, giving your all doesn't guarantee you will suceed but giving up guarantees you'll fail.
Regarding handling pressure, I put a lot of effort prior to a game into controlling my emotions, only allowing positives thoughts to enter the mind. This works for me but can be quite a personal thing. I believe it's a case of doing whatever it takes to get you in the best state mentally to face your challenge.