James Richardson : Hello everyone! I'm in parking lot on my mobile, so bear with me if it goes funny....
Pete1 : Roy said at half time that this italian team is not as good as the previous team, do you think that is because of the three foreigner rule has been lifted?
James Richardson : Three foreigner rule, possibly... I think it's more because of the veterans they're missing and the fact that we're only at the beginning of Zoff's tenure.
DrNexus : Who do you rate as a better player, baggio or del piero?
James Richardson : Baggio :)
Del Piero : do you think montella should be in the squad?
James Richardson : Oops, sorry about that Del Piero :))
James Richardson laughs
Not right now - Italy have so many fantastic forwards, plus he's injured at the moment.
Del Piero : do you think montella should be in the squad?
James Richardson : hey I just answered that :)
C4 Chat Ed : whoops wrong question...
Big John : Roy hodgson was a bit negative about wasn't he?
James Richardson : negative? That's a tricky one to answer really - do you think he was negative?
Qash : james, what is your opinion on Pippo Inzahgi's performance tonight?
James Richardson : He's a cautious man. More missus than Henry the Eighth.
domo : With the massive media interest in football in Italy how do you manage to get interviews and features with star players?
James Richardson : Star players? I think mainly because we're from abroad which is always quite exotic plus here they're very aware of the role that the media plays in the football industry.
Del Piero : why has edmundo become a different person all of a sudden?
James Richardson : He was doing brilliantly before in Brazil but when he came to Fiorentina last season he wasn't able to get a regular place in the side midway through the season and the Rio carnival kept interfering with his playing schedule. This year Trapattoni has made him a starter this season, and it seems that confidence was all he needed.
Pete1 : do you think the lazio strikeforce of salas and vieri will click?
James Richardson : Vieri is deciding whether to have an operation at the mo and even if he doesn't go under the knife, he won't be back for at least two months, so they say. He's a fabulous player, but a regular slot for Mancini and Salas will probably do Lazio just as well.
Pete1 : why wasn'y capello considered for the italy job?
James Richardson : I don't know. It's a very good question. The main people talked about for the Italy job have always been Lippi, Trapattoni and Capello. I don't know why, with Capello unemployed, the choice fell to Zoff possibly because Capello is rumoured to ask for two million quid per season...
DrNexus : what is your view on the drug scandal in Italy and do u think there is any truth in it?
Ambad : james, got any exclusive info?
James Richardson : It's good that the whole issue is being examined, but by now it's been blown out of proportion... I don't think we're going to see any big names busted, but at least they might start introducing some serious testing.
Toffeeman : With so many world class players playing in the Inter side, why is it that they rarely truly perform as a team?
James Richardson : According to Roy, Moratti doesn't know what he wants and thus it is possible that the side simply hasn't bought wisely. Baggio's move there this season certainly fits in with that theory.
MavericK : Who has ben the best of the new signings??
James Richardson : Hmm! I haven't seen much of Sampdoria but Ortega's had a big effect, Nakata too.
Pete1 : is zoff really that good, he hasn't really done anything amazing in his managerial career?
James Richardson : He's a very level headed coach and he rescued Lazio from Zeman a couple of years back taking them, stats fans, from fifth last to fourth. I think that one of his greatest attributes was that he was available.
spudie123 : who do you think will be the best signing for italy in the next year?
James Richardson : italian side or Italy?
C4 Chat Ed : Italian side
James Richardson : In the future - Vieri when he comes back from injury.
Paulptfc : Would you say Buffon should be the italian keeper?
James Richardson : If you like :)
LeviTosh : What happened to Sebatiano Rossi, the Milan keeper?
James Richardson : Rossi - I'm not sure, but I think nobody likes him. He just doesn't get on with people. Every year they bring in someone who's a bit more pleasant, and then half way thru the season they find that Rossi is still the better keeper.
DrNexus: after a great start do u think nakata will be able to sustain his form in italy?
James Richardson : Um, at a guess, his problem may be what happens with Perugia when the euphoria of being back in Serie A fades away and the relegations struggle settles in. While the side is optimistic, I think he'll have every opportunity to carry on as he started.
The bandit : james, do you think italy played well ?
James Richardson considers
James Richardson : From what I saw, not all the time, but enough to make us all optimistic.
stretfordred : James, I'm going to be in Milan in a couple of weeks - how difficult is it to get hold of tickets?
James Richardson : not difficult at all :) sellouts are rare, and are usually restricted to the Milan derby or a visit from Juventus.
bodie : Alright james : ) Do you think Zoff should Include the english based players? is he being too arrogent leaving them out?
James Richardson : Alright :) He says they're still under observation and they got preliminary call-ups but I think many people are happy that Dimatteo doesn't fit into Zoff's plans, Casiraghi would be a better alternative to Vieri than Inzaghi. Zoff's already faced the Del Piero/Baggio conundrum.
Goal lazio : how old are you 25?
Ab : james, do you live in italy, and if yes, what area???
James Richardson chuckles
James Richardson : I live in Rome.
kit : what's your favourite italian food?
James Richardson : wow! so much to choose from. I'd say Rombo Al Forno Con Le Patate - turbot (I think) with tatties :)
bodie : james - did you ever get a slap on the wrist for some of your more 'non-pc' comments on gazzetta in the mornings?
James Richardson : yes I did, bodie!
The Woodster : Because of the regional differences (North/South divide) are the Italians more passionate about football in the south?
James Richardson : No... Cue large and animated discussion in Italian with his friends about this...five minutes later: We reckon they're about the same.
The Woodster : Are you better than Des?
James Richardson : Better than Des? Of course not!
Ab : how did you get your job, if you don't mind me asking.
James Richardson : Good timing - and I speak Italian. Someone told me about it, and errr... the rest is history.
James Richardson laughs
Whitters : are u surprised Sky or the BBC havn't come for u, or have they
James Richardson : Not really, and not really :) In all sincerity Channel 4 is a very nice place to work.
CC : James Richardson!------------WHY IS DEL PIERO SO FAT NOW?
James Richardson : why is he fat??
CC : yes he has put on 4 stone!
James Richardson : The way that Juve train is all about being fitter than the other team over the course of the game and the course of the season. He's only 22 - he's beefed up and become a man! Just like me.
James Richardson grins
James Richardson : He's bigger, but 4 stone??
domo : James, would you ever move back to England/
James Richardson : Yeahh, definitely. Who can say when, but yes, at some point.
The Woodster : Who has been your favourite co-presenter on Football Italia?
James Richardson : Elvis Costello! On Gazetta...Paul Ince.
spudie123 : who is do you think is the sexiest woman in the world?
James Richardson : Wow... you don't know her :)
SIMn : how can i get the twinkle in the eye just like you
James Richardson grins
Zetec_Power : how did you get roped into doing this internet chat?
James Richardson : With a rope, surprisingly.
LeviTosh : How are you actually doing this from your mobile phone?
James Richardson : Naw, I live abroad, so I never get to speak to people who watch the programme, so this is great. Levi - I'm sitting in a traffic jam outside of Udinese and on the other end of the phone is Crys who's being me, as it were
Crys grins
C4 Chat Ed : This'll be James' final question...
Pete1: what player would you like to see go to italy, so you could have him as co-host?
James Richardson : that's a nice one. Hmm...Gazza.
James Richardson grins
C4 Chat Ed : That's it! Thanks everyone for coming in...Have a goodnight and don't forget to watch Football Italia! (pr job done) - I'm off to bed...
James Richardson : I'm off to eat now (when I get out of this traffic jam)...bye!
