Posted by Grant - 06/05/2008
Q. How long have you been playing football and what is the best part of playing?
A. I've been playing since I was about three years old, joined a team when i was six (as a left-winger!) then joined Watford at the age of 10.
I get great enjoyment out of putting into games what i do in practice, so making a great save gives me a big buzz. But i'd have to say the best part is of course winning...we all love to win!
Posted by Gavin S - 04/05/2008
Q. Hi Richard. Can you give me any tips on how to improve my keeping? Thanks.
A. I could speak for hours on this subject and I've mentioned quite a few things in my Discussion Point this week.
My main advice would be quite simple: work harder than anyone else and enjoy what you are doing. By following that you won't go far wrong!
Posted by Gavin - 04/05/2008
Q. Hi Richard. I was just wondering, when you were younger how did you get your trials for watford?
A. I was very young when I joined Watford and for me it was a case of a Watford scout coming to one of my Sunday League games. As it turned out we won the game 10-0 and I didn't touch the ball! So my Sunday League manager at the time recommended me for a trial and it began from there.
As a kid, if you are looking for a trial at a club my advice would be to write to them, explain your situation and your desire to play football. As far as I know clubs have to respond and most will give kids a trial of some sort or maybe get a scout to come watch a game.
The last thing any club would want would be to miss out on talent that could be worth a lot in the future.
Posted by Sam Wallis - 04/05/2008
Q. Hey Richard. Congratulations on getting into the play-offs. I'd like to ask a couple of questions. Firstly was wondering out of the three other teams in the play-offs who would you have rather of played? And secondly who you voted for in the players player of the year?
A. Thanks. Regarding the play-offs I don't think any of us really had a preference - maybe Palace, only as it's a bit closer than Hull! No to be honest I think years gone by have shown that anyone can win it so we have to be prepared to beat anyone. I think being drawn against Hull will mean that we will now be considered by many as underdogs which could work in our favour.
As for player of the season I'm not sure whether I'm allowed to divulge who I voted for! Ok I guess i'm allowed... I voted for Tom, i think he's been most consistent this season in my opinion.
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.