Brentford goalkeeper Richard Lee with his new book, 'Graduation'

Richard Lee discusses several aspects of his new book with London24

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Brentford goalkeeper Richard Lee has written a book, called 'Graduation', in which he talks about his mindset as a professional goalkeeper.

The book is primarily based on Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) and Lee demonstrates how it works using football analogies, making it easy for those unfamiliar with the concept.

"NLP is the idea of using language to re-map the brain and set about processes that are very productive and find productive ways of dealing with things"" he explained to London24.

"I have touched upon parts of it in the book. I have got other elements from books, seminars and experience. I included the key aspects that really helped me."

Lee also admitted he hadnt intended to write the book but it just happened.

"Initially it was slightly by accident. It was during the heatwave of April/May time and I was doing a blog for my website on the season," he said.

"I sat there and wrote and before I knew it and I had written 10,000 words and I was in September/October in the season.

"A friend of mine had had a book published and it snowballed from there."

There have been reports in the last few months of sportsmen writing books criticising team-mates, in particular Graeme Swann's 'The Breaks are Off', however Lee made sure he got advice about how team-mates are portrayed.

"Initially I did not put too much thought in that. When it became more serious and write it properly I did seek a little bit of advice about who I spoke about and how I spoke about them," he added.

"The idea of the book was not to really expose anyone. I wanted it to be a positive book and focus on the psychological aspect, with the NLP stuff that I do.

"I did not want to make it a sensationalist book"

Lee spoke of the need to have more goalkeeping pundits in the game and is frustrated about hearing stereotypical things said and written about goalkeepers.

"It's kind of me having a dig with the best of intentions," he added.

"I'm a self-confessed goalkeeping geek. I will study it to the nth degree and what constitutes good goalkeeping.

"I have got nothing against outfield pundits. It is just frustrating when you hear the stereotypical goalkeeping comments being made.

"If it was the other way round and I was asked to comment on outfield players. My hope is that one will come forward.

"It was a shame Peter Schmeichal (who used to be on Match of the Day) went back to Denmark."

'Graduation' speaks of needing a why, in order to achieve and Lee explained how important having that is.

"I think it is huge," he said. "It was a 'eureka moment' when it clicked.

"There is always a reason why. You might have to manufacture it. Providing you can find it, it does give you a reason to jump out of bed in the morning.

"I am very much into my goal setting, with your outcome goals and your process goals.

"It's always having the reason why. Ive got so many written down in all the books Ive got here.

"They're constant reminders about the days youre not feeling particularly great.

"It's very powerful to refer back to why youre doing what youre doing."

The book will be launched after Brentfords home game with Wycombe on January 28 with Lee present to sign copies.

• Click here for a review of the book