Richard Lee's BLog

First Week Back / GK coaching website launch

info@impaktmedia.co.uk — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Rich reveals what happened during the first week of pre-season back at the London Colney training facility. Read his thoughts on the latest transfer news - and hop over to his new keeper coaching site as well!

Pre-Pre-Season

info@impaktmedia.co.uk — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Last week before it's back to business include hopes for Scott Loach, 7-a-side, golf and a new signing already...

Malky - my choice

info@impaktmedia.co.uk — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

No doubt who Rich wanted as new Watford boss - quite a week, what with the fixtures out as well

Spanish Siesta - and returning to reality

info@impaktmedia.co.uk — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A last bit of relaxation in Spain as pre-season creeps closer for Rich & the boys. Still no official word on the new boss though...

Rodgers, Rest and Reunion

info@impaktmedia.co.uk — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Another incident-packed week - when it should be the quiet close season! Brendan's departure coinciding with a return from the States...and now it's golf for Rich with two of Watford's top stoppers!

Orlando Magic - literally

info@impaktmedia.co.uk — Tue, 26 May 2009 23:00:00 GMT

A state-side vacation - through the eyes of my mate Martin...

Florida Calling

info@impaktmedia.co.uk — Sat, 16 May 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Reading rumours, golf at The Belfry, ex-keeper chat and Florida...

New Deal, Familiar Challenge

info@impaktmedia.co.uk — Sun, 10 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The summer break is now upon us so no football to report this week but it was a significant week for me as a signed a new deal.

I signed a year’s contract with the club on Thursday so will be a Hornet for at least another season. I made no secret of the fact that I wanted a two-year deal or more but unfortunately this wasn’t on the table, so after much thought I decided to sign the one-year deal and look at it as yet another challenge to win my place in the team back and hopefully secure a two or three-year deal next season.

I’ve found myself in this position a few times before, notably under Aidy Bothroyd where I approached the Premier League season with a point to prove and a fight to save my career at the club.

I remember a day after meeting with him when I honestly felt my time at Watford was up. It was a horrible feeling to be told that I wasn’t needed but it was possibly the best thing that ever happened to me because it helped give me the motivation to propel my game to another level.

I had a similar challenge with Mart Poom was brought in but I managed to play the majority of the season ahead of him. Even back when Ray Lewington was the manager I was led to believe he had his doubts but I ended up as number one.

This situation is slightly different in that Brendan has been fantastic with me; he’s told me he likes me so it’s not so much a case of making him like me, more a case of proving to him that I can be a number one keeper for Watford once more.

I guess I view this as the latest chapter in what has already been an eventful career here. I would quite happily spend the rest of my career here - if wanted - truth be told. I look at some of the former stars who are still idolised by fans and I use that as motivation and inspiration at what can be achieved and what I’d love for myself.

Whether this happens or not who knows but, long story short, I honestly believe my best times at Watford are still to come. I have a point to prove to a few people but more importantly to myself so with that being the case I’m sure you’ll see the best of me next season.

Anyway other than that it was a quiet week, we had a few meetings regarding the summer break as well as individual meetings with the manager and finally broke up on Thursday. My plans are to relax for a couple of weeks before heading off to Florida on the 19th May. I’ll then go on from there to Vegas before returning in early June.

I then have one more excursion planned; to Alec’s villa in Spain for a little golf break before returning and really getting my mind set on next season. Although rest is important over the summer I will use it as an opportunity to get some good training in and make the most what will hopefully be some nice weather this year by spending a lot of time on the golf course. I played with Tommy Smith this week and he beat me comfortably so I’ll be hoping to get revenge soon.

I will continue with my diary over the summer but it may well be brief as I don’t want to bore you with my golf stories!

Have a nice week.

Safety At Last...

info@impaktmedia.co.uk — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A thrilling comeback against Coventry put to rest any fears of the drop and we emerged victorious by three goals to two at the Ricoh Arena.

In many ways the game summed up our season: we were poor in large patches of the game but showed great character and resolve to fight back against the odds and, deservedly in the end, secured our place in the Championship for another season.

The game looked out of reach at two goals down with time running out but goals from Tom, Tamas and Grzegorz meant a very happy coach on the way home. Although since the draw against Barnsley we’ve known it would have taken something quite horrendous to see us drop down a league, it was still a massive relief to end all doubt and to do it in the style we did was quite something.

Once again, with only the one game this week it was a quiet one, although I did have a small section in the local paper stating my intentions for next season.

For those who don’t know my situation, my contract expires at the end of this season. I’m very hopeful of sorting my situation out with Watford in the near future - I have no intention to leave the club that has brought me through the ranks since being a boy of 10 years old. My only issues were that of not playing regular football for the past six months and the length of the contract.

In a perfect world I would be playing and the offer of the contract would be longer but unfortunately football isn’t that simple but hopefully all will be sorted soon and I will still be a Watford player next season. I honestly believe I still have much to offer this club and I haven’t fulfilled all my goals here yet. I will keep you posted on developments.

So to the final week of the season. I can’t imagine training will ease up all that much, we intend to finish the season on a high and if we were to beat Derby next week and finish on 58 points that would be quite some achievement when only a matter of a couple of months ago we were on 30 points after 30 games.

It’s taken a fine run to get us where we are now and a lot of credit has to go to our manager, Brendan Rodgers, who’s not only guided us to safety but done it with a style of football that I can sense pleases the fans.

We are now trying to play attractive, winning football, which some may argue isn’t the best way to get out of this division but I think all those involved with Watford hope we stick to our guns and prove that our style of football can bring success. I’m sure it can.

Bye for now

We Won't Get The Blues

info@impaktmedia.co.uk — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A disappointing end to the week as we went down to Birmingham.

The positive that did come from the weekend were the defeats for both Norwich and Barnsley which, barring a mathematical catastrophe, guarantees Championship football for us next season.

The game itself was one that, in truth, Birmingham edged. Scott was called into action on several occasions and made some excellent stops and, in my opinion, was our star performer on the day. This was a great test for us as it’s looking likely that Birmingham will be a Premiership team next season so this gave us a good benchmark as to where we need to get to in order to push for a promotion place next season.

The following week looks set to be a quiet one with only two games now remaining until the summer break’s upon us.

Having only the one game means it has been quite a quiet week; training has still been at good intensity and there’s certainly no thought of easing down towards the summer break, which I had no doubts about anyway.

Despite having little to play for now, we still very much want to win our last two games and finish the season on a high and give us momentum to into next season.

All being well I’ll be reporting on the first of those victories next week!