I was just wondering whether you go to a church to pray in Portsmouth? This is because I've never been a devout Christian and I am in a tough time at the moment, and I wanted to know the best way to start becoming more religiously influenced? (Will Barker)
Will, whilst I make it a point of duty to pray to God on a daily basis, I am still settling in to the area. I don't yet go to a church here in Portsmouth on a regular basis, but Linvoy Primus and I do have Bible studies time together.
I'm a Colchester United supporter and like all the other Us fans I think you are a legend! If the opportunity ever came would you return to Layer Road near the end of your career so we can see them back flips one last time? (Adam Spalding, Ipswich)
Let me start by saying that I will always love Colchester and YES, I would love to come back if the opportunity ever came up. I will look to come back in years to come. Best regards, LuaLua.
I would like to open by expressing my deepest sympathy about the terrible news on your recent ear problem. I am sure you are as disappointed as anyone to see your trademark celebration go out the window, although there is some confusion over whether the celebration is only gone temporarily. Hopefully it is the latter. In my years of watching the mighty Blues I have never seen any player as exciting and unpredictable as yourself. You are the perfect player and the model pro. (Tom Dubber)
Hello Tom. Thanks for the kind words that you have expressed. I really appreciate it, and so you're the first to know....... my flips situation is only temporary - it's part of my game, and it's what my fans want to see. Well, I hope that you are into some sort of sports and definitely knuckling down with the studies. I demand that all my fans of school age get good grades. I deliver the goals... you deliver the grades... DEAL!
Like you, I am a fan of 2pac Shakur and have collected all of his albums and DVDs, etc, most recently his album Loyal To The Game which is fantastic. Just wondered if there is an album and a song that stands out the most to you? Also, do you have an opinion on 2pac's death? (Hannah Merry)
Hello there Hannah. Thanks for your e-mail. I think that 2pac's death was sad as he was an inspiration of mine. I also have an album that I really enjoy listening to: Fighting Temptation. Best wishes, LuaLua xx
I'm a big fan of yours and I'd just like to say that you are a quality player. I was not happy with the Newcastle fans booing you as you were a great addition to the their team. If you like you can reply to this email, as it would be very cool if you did. (Paul 12)
Hey there, Paul. Thanks for your e-mail. I agree it wasn't nice at all when Newcastle booed me when we played them. I'm back on the recovery trail now and hopefully this year Portsmouth will achieve what we didn't manage last year.
I hope you have settled well at Portsmouth. I believe Linvoy Primus has helped you off the pitch since you arrived. Linvoy is a fantastic example to football fans and people generally. No one expected him to be playing Premier League football but he's become a big favourite. (Adam Batstone)
Linvoy is a really nice lad and helped me out a lot when I first arrived, Adam. He is a Christian, like me, so we have a lot in common and also come from the same area of London. When you play football, particularly when you come to a new club, you need an older player to maybe put an arm round your shoulder and Linvoy has done that for me.
I read one of your articles in the Christian newspaper New Life. Are your Christian beliefs a big part of your life? (Carlos Garson)
I have strong beliefs, and my Christian beliefs play a major role in my life. I come from a Christian family and sometimes it's hard for me to explain to an outsider just what God has done in my life. God planned my path in life and gave me this gift to play football. You don't know how amazing that makes me feel. On a lighter note, because of my family's beliefs, they wouldn't let me play football on a Sunday, but that hasn't held me back too much.
I don't think you are being played in the right position. I think your natural position is in the Paul Scholes role right behind the front two. (Paul A)
Well spotted, Paul. People who know me from back in the day will always tell you that I am a creator on the pitch - I create more than I score. I'm at my best when I'm playing just off the striker and therefore given the freedom to roam left or right, on either foot. When you're out on the right wing, you can only go one way, then cross the ball, but I would never moan about playing in that position. I am under a good manager, he knows what's best for me and I'm learning in this wide role.
I'm 23 and having played for Bristol Rovers youth and Watford, I've just got an agent and I'm playing semi-professional football. Have you got any advice on how I can get in the pro game? (DC)
You might be 23, but all I can say is it's never too late. Look at Ian Wright; he started late and look what he achieved. Like you, I was with pro clubs as a kid (Orient and West Ham) but both said I wasn't good enough. I was down but my mum said to me, 'Don't live to regret it' so I put my mind to it and with some hard work, good focus and plenty of praying, I got there in the end.
You offer a touch of class that every team needs. My one ambition is to have a career in football management and I was wondering if you had any tips. (Adam Pullinger, Eastleigh)
Thanks for your kind words, Adam. I would say 'don't give up on your dream'. I had a friend, Craig Farley, who never made it as a player but who is now a very successful coach in America and look at Arsene Wenger, he never played football at the highest level but is one of the world's most respected coaches. If you want it bad enough, you'll do it. You can make your dreams come true.
I have a talent in football and I am not doing anything with it. When I watch you play ball I get so happy to see one of our brothers representing us in the Premiership, but I need your help to get into the football industry. (Arthur)
Hi Arthur. God has given everyone a gift but not everybody realises it. There was a time when I was losing interest, but I had people around me who wouldn't let me waste my talent. My family didn't really push me, but my PE teacher and a friend, Michael, kept pushing and I needed that. At that time, I had a friend, Daniel Carnegie, who was at Charlton and he played for England schoolboys but he never made it, whereas I did. He wasted his talent and I hate to see that happen. Try not to let it happen to you, Arthur.
Your actions at the Middlesbrough game were utterly reprehensible and unprofessional: kicking the ball with power from the touchline towards the crowd - the fact that the East Stand has women and children sitting there only adds shame to what you did; making obscene gestures to the crowd is cowardly, especially when you know that you are safe from harm on the pitch; and finally, taunting the crowd with that 'ghetto' walk with your shorts down just made you look foolish. In an already sullied game that is becoming dominated by egotistical idiots who don't act as role models for youngsters, the game of football does not need another.
I'm sorry my friend, but you have got it completely wrong. Anybody who knows me would know that those accusations are simply not me. With regards to the ball incident, I was trying to control the ball, it went under my foot, and in my frustration, I kicked it against the barrier on the side of the pitch. I am appalled that you think I'd kick the ball into the crowd on purpose, I'd never do that. I never made any obscene gestures; I was getting quite a bit of stick at the time, due to my Newcastle connections, and just responded by signalling '1-0' to them. As for pulling my shorts down, I always wear them that way. My friends from Forest Gate wanted me to represent them on the pitch and that's how I do it. It's just a reflection of how my friends and me wear our jeans.
Can you help me with something? All of my family know I am mad about Matthew Taylor. They all take the mick and say he's gay. Is he? (Georgia, age 13)
No Georgia, he's not gay, although he might look it! He has a girlfriend.
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