Posted by danny ion - 03/05/2008
Q. Obviously Richard. i think you're a great goalkeeper, a credit to watford! First off I wanted to ask you, how did you and the lads feel about losing to scunthorpe and palace, it was very disappointing from my perspective! And secondly, if we do go up, how do you think the we will cope in the Premiership, now we have had the experience in there?
A. Thanks. Obviously it has been a tough few weeks for players and fans alike, no one likes losing and when you are as competitive as the lads that we have then the mood can be felt around the club.
But the great thing about football is that there's usually another game around the corner where you can put things right and thankfully we were able to do that against Blackpool.
If we do make it then I think the experience we've already gained will benefit us a lot; we made mistakes last time round that we will have learned from and the extra revenue that we would get will again help boost the club even further.
Posted by samuel tulett - 30/04/2008
Q. Hi Richard. I was just wondering, as it's coming up to the summer transfer window, how will Aidy try to attract new players to the club? What sort of things do you look for when you go to a club for an 'interview'? And on a totally different point, when you're the goalkeeper for a penalty, when the crowd trys to put off the striker, does it actually put you off as well? Id just like to say congratulations for what i think has been a great season for you!
A. Thanks. I'm not too aware of Aidy's methods of attracting players, hopefully being a top Championship club (and maybe a Premiership one soon) is a big enough attraction on its own.
I'm not too sure how the interview process actually works if there even is one as I've yet to experience that myself. I'm guessing that most of the time if a manager has decided he's likes a player then more often than not an interview won't make too much difference as it's the players performance on the pitch that is most important to a team.
Regarding being put off by the crowd it hasn't ever had an effect on me, I think a goalkeeper is in a no-lose situation when it comes to a penalty as the pressure is on the striker. So if a keeper can pull off a save he's a hero but if not very little is said. So keep doing whatever you can to put off the taker!
Posted by Richard Wigfield - 29/04/2008
Q. I've taken my son to watch the reserves at Boreham Wood on a couple of occasions ( and yes, I do remember the days when they played at the Vic!), and it's a completely different atmosphere. I've watched a lot of football at many levels, and I've felt more of a buzz and seen more spectators in the BGB League Div One South & West! How different is the preparation from a first team game, and how difficult is it to adapt?
A. I agree that there is a big difference between reserve football and first-team football. You'll often see players at top clubs - Man Utd, Arsenal, etc - who are playing regular reserve football leave to ply their trade in League One or Two purely for the reason that they want to play 'competitive' football.
The reserve league does serve a big purpose though. For Watford it's an essential part of a young player's development, for players in need of a game and also for players returning from injury. I've played many reserve games over the years and the preparation is exactly the same as a first team game.
Whenever i've played it's always been a case for me to prove to a manager that I'm playing well and should be playing in the first team. By having that approach it's helped me play at a good level even when there's not so much at stake.
Although the atmosphere may not be quite the same the quality of football is usually very good.
Posted by Kristian Martin - 28/04/2008
Q. Hey Richard. Even after such a poor run of form do you still think we will get into the play-offs and if we do do you think we will go up? If we don't who would be some good signings to get us up next year. I heard we could sign Carlton Cole?
A. Thanks for your question. Firstly, yes I firmly believe we will go up, we've got more than enough talent and providing we replicate some of the football we are capable of then we'll have a great chance.
In answer to your other question regarding signings, it's a tough to one to answer as we're still unsure as to where we're going to be. I'm sure the boss will be looking to strengthen the team but i'm yet to hear any rumours!
Posted by dan kitchen - 27/04/2008
Q. Hi Richard I'm a big fan of yours and you are my favourite goalkeeper. i was wondering how tall you were at age 15 because I am worried that at 5 feet 9 I am too short to ever make it?
A. Thanks. The subject of height has been quite a common theme in my career and it's something that I've had many arguments with people over.
I believe your height is only a problem if it restricts you. Do you come for crosses when you can? Are you a good shot-stopper? Do you boss your defence? Do you kick a good ball? If you answered yes to these then you are a good goalkeeper and the issue of height isn't a problem.
I'm considered small for a keeper in the modern game but I firmly believe it doesn't restrict me and if I did believe that I wouldn't be where I am now.
I fully understand your concern as I've had similar ones in the past but believe me when I tell you that it doesn't need to be an issue. If someone tries to use that as an excuse against you then be sure to stand your ground.
Posted by Michael Linden - 27/04/2008
Q. What's gone wrong with Watford? How is the team morale? What happened after the Scunthorpe loss? Does everyone just sit around and get a chance to speak or is it a bun fight with the loudest being heard?
A. I seem to get asked that quite a lot at the moment, what has gone wrong?
It is obviously a tough time right now, results haven't gone our way and performances recently haven't been good enough. My thoughts on the subject are that until very recently we were playing some good stuff and unfortunately drew many games that we deserved to win. In the last two games we have not played well enough and the results have reflected that. It is then that people look at stats; i.e. the amount of points we have gained recently and come to the conclusion that the wheels have fallen off.
My belief is that you don't become a bad team overnight and we still have players more than capable to gain promotion and for that reason, among others, I don't get downhearted. Team morale is fine, it's obviously better when you are winning but we are lucky to have positive staff around us who realise how important it is to have everybody in good spirits. We won't achieve anything if we spend the next few weeks feeling sorry for ourselves.
In answer to your final question we do all get to offer our thoughts, which is quite unique in itself. If we don't agree with something then we are strongly pushed to make our point and, as you probably already heard, there was a rather long meeting after the game against Scunthorpe where many ideas were aired - all in an effort to be playing Premiership football next season. It's what we all want.
Posted by Fansincetheseventies - 27/04/2008
Q. Ben Foster's had a mixed season since he left the Vic, and you've filled his boots admirably. How does it feel to follow in his boots?
A. Ben's a good friend of mine and he's been very unfortunate this season with his knee problem but it was great to see him play against Derby recently and show the sort of form that I believe will make him first choice at Man Utd next season.
On a personal level I've been pleased with how it's gone since Ben left; it can be hard when someone of such high quality and impressive reputation leaves a place as whoever fills the gap will be compared to him regularly. Man Utd experienced it with Peter Schmeichel for instance and, for them, it took a while before someone made the spot their own.
With myself I'm honest in that I don't possess the power in my kicks that Ben does but that doesn't mean I can't be as accurate as him if not more so. So I try to focus on what I can offer which I believe is speed around my box, quick off my line, good spring and brave with my decisions. I believe that if I can do that I can be a real asset to our team as Ben was in his time here.
Posted by nick - 27/04/2008
Q. Hi Rich, I'm a massive fan of not only you but also watford. Things haven't been going great as of late for us, what was said after the scunthorpe game and do you believe that we can get into and maybe even win the play-offs?
A. It wasn't the nicest atmosphere after the Scunthorpe game as you could imagine and this is a very testing time for us.
The worry would be that people look at others to blame and take focus off what they can do as an individual in order to help the team progress. I'm confident in saying that we have a good group of lads who in the past, when things have gone against us, have bounced back well.
I'm very confident that not only will we get the desired outcome against Blackpool but we'll give a good account of ourselves in the play-offs. We haven't been anywhere near our potential in certain recent outings but the great thing is that we've already shown what we are capable of early in the season and now is the time to show it again.
No excuses, no blame just us all taking responsibility and giving our all for the last few weeks of the season. And in answer to your question: yes i firmly believe we'll go up.
Posted by Will & Ali - 26/04/2008
Q. Hi Richard, great website, excellent idea. You have had a brilliant season, and you are without a doubt one of Watford FC's strengths. We are so glad you have played the majority of games this season.
Our question is: Do you ever feel intimidated when you are in the goals at the opposition side of the Vic and away grounds?
A. Thanks. I don't think I've ever really been intimidated. If anything, in a weird way it's quite a nice position to be in, having thousands of people shouting abuse at you and being able to makes saves gives me a buzz.
I think you only get intimidated if you choose to let them get to you. You definitely notice the difference at different places you play though. I remember playing at Leeds and Millwall and they really do try their best to intimidate you. But as I said before I quite enjoy that.
Posted by daniele - 26/04/2008
Q. Hi Richard i'm 15 and i have had trials with different academies and I'm going to one at Luton and Barnet and I'm also going on a training course. I know this sounds like a stupid question but i have just switchded to wearing Sells gloves and i was wondering what kind of prewash I need to do on the Sells adhesion ultra wrap to get the best out of them? thanks very much.
A. I've worn Sells for a number of years now and they are a great product. Whenever I get a pair I always take them in the shower after training and wash them out thoroughly before I use them. As far as I know this is what is instructed on the packaging.
I place quite a bit of importance on making sure my gloves are right before a game. If you go into the game with a really sticky pair of gloves it'll help with confidence rather than the ball being a bar of soap! So test them before you play.
All keepers are different when it comes to this. Ben Foster and Lenny Pidgeley, for instance, would take them straight out of the packet and wear them in a game which I just couldn't do but it all comes down to what makes the individual feel best.