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.
Posted by Leo - 26/04/2008
Q. Hi Rich, Who do you think is the best Watford outfield player?
Honest answer please :)
A. Ha, tough question.
I always find this type of question hard because each player brings something different to the team; for instance Danny and Hendo with their power and presence, Tommy and Jobi with their technical ability, Lloyd for his consistency.
If you were to ask me who is going to be Player of the Year I believe it'll be between Danny and Tommy. Good enough?
Posted by Hornetfanatic - 23/04/2008
Q. Hello Richard, hope you don't mind me asking a couple of questions:
The first one is a little off-topic but now's my chance to finally ask this question. How does Aidy go about selecting the team for an upcoming match? If you don't mind me saying, i think Douglas Rinaldi is a great player but never gets picked and i was wondering if you could tell me what procedures the boss goes through to select the team.
Has working with such great keepers like Foster, Chamberlain, Poom and Friedel (Blackburn) made you the keeper you are today or has it al been through your own merit and achievements? I think you're such a great keeper but having vital experience with others has only benefited you in my opinion.
And finally, there has been talk of cutting down the squad if we are not promoted next season. Would you be willing to leave or would you like to stay? I've heard that if a player wants to stay, there is nothing anyone can do about it (please don't leave!).
Thanks again Rich and good luck for the rest of the season.
A. Thanks. Regarding Aidy's team selection, he picks the team he believes is best equipped to win each game and if he drops a player he'll be sure to pull them aside and tell them exactly why, which as a player is all you can ask for.
It's a tough job being a manager but he's always been very honest when he dropped me personally and, although you never liked to be dropped, you'd prefer to be told why than not.
Working with the keepers you've mentioned has undoubtedly had an impact on me, I've always been one to try and take parts from different keepers' games and use them myself.
For instance, I've tried to mirror Ben's dead-ball kicking - I don't have as much power as him but my consistency has definitely improved. Brad and Alec are both great role models for me, the way they live their lives on and off the pitch have been great examples to follow.
The biggest thing I've taken from Poomy is his work ethic; he's in the gym long after most players have gone and that's why he's been as successful as he has.
And in answer to your last question, I have no desire to leave, I have a year remaining on my contract and provided i'm still wanted then I'll still be here!
Posted by Tony Benham - 23/04/2008
Q. Richard, great website. My son is 10 coming up 11 and has been training at a centre of excellence and sometimes playing for them in some matches. He is a keeper and as a consequence of playing the C.O.E games he has not been able to play in goal for his local team as they need a regular keeper. When he does play for the local team he plays up front and has scored goals. He really wants to be a keeper but I feel it is good for him to play on pitch sometimes and gain a different view of the game but what age do you think he should concentrate on the keeping?
A. I can definitely see your thinking behind having a different perspective of the game and, not only that, if he can learn the techniques needed to be an outfield player then that'll greatly help him with his goalkeeping in the modern game.
I joined Watford when I was a similar age and that's when I really focused on becoming a keeper but I do think at that age the biggest thing is enjoyment. Providing he enjoys playing and has a willingness to learn then I'm sure he'll do well.
My Dad was quite careful with me as he really wanted me to be a footballer but I think he realised that if he was to push me too hard then I could lose the love that I have for the game.
So in answer to your question, I think he'd be best working on all areas of his game and in due course you'll both know when he'd be best to stick to goalkeeping. In my opinion the best keepers in the Premiership right now would all make decent outfield players so there's no rush, just keep the enjoyment and keep learning.
You can also greatly help this with plenty of positive comments and good feedback to him after games, which I'm sure - if you are anything like my Dad - you'll be doing already!
Posted by Rhys Evans - 21/04/2008
Q. HI Rich, how's the cap buisness going?
A. It's doing fine thanks. I tend to get asked this a lot, I think I'm better known for my appearance on Dragons Den than for my football! We currently have a shop in Leicester and we're selling some caps on eBay - it'll never make me a millionaire but it's a good sideline to have and I've learnt a lot from the whole experience of having the shop.
Posted by Stuart Gathard - 21/04/2008
Q. Hi Richard, Im a big Watford fan and i was wondering that you have been injured, dropped from the side, been sent out on loan, played in the biggest games watford have had such as v man u, captained the side this season. Does it feel hard to keep up when you are in and out of the first team squad?
A. Your mind-set is very important when it comes to being a footballer. There are very few footballers who have always been regulars in their teams and escaped injury etc.
For me it's always been a case of re-evaluating after something like this happens. You are left with a choice; do you sit and sulk and blame the world for things not going your way? Or do you take it upon yourself to try and change the situation you are given into a positive one again?
I've always found that taking the latter option has worked well for me and I'm really thankful that I've had these experiences as I believe they've helped shape me, not only as a footballer but in life.
I believe that you can always give your best, things may not always work out exactly as you'd hope but providing you give your best you can be proud of yourself whatever the result and that's something I try to live my life by.
Posted by Lauren - 21/04/2008
Q. Were you disapointed to not be at Watford when we got promoted in 2006? And did you go to Cardiff with the rest of the team?
A. Yeah I was. I went to the final but of my own accord. It looked likely I'd be moving on to Blackburn then so I had little interaction with the team at that time.
There's actually a big picture on our wall at the training ground showing the fans from that day and I can see myself in amongst the fans. So I get a constant reminder that I wasn't actually involved that day!
But it was an incredible day for the club and I can't remember ever going as crazy as I did when Darius slotted in the penalty for 3-0 and the win was assured. Great day!