Not having done anything wrong over the last few weeks, the defender explains that Erik Gerets confidence is all important in his turn around in form and his resolution to: "Not ask himself anymore questions."
«I’m not here to complain. I just happy when things go well, like anybody.» If Ronald Zubar is reticent of talking about the last few months it’s because he hasn’t been spared anything. On top of that is mix-up with Mandanda against Lille which cost OM a goal is now just a distant and bad memory.
Since then, the player from Guadeloupe has put in some great performances against Liverpool, Toulouse, Nice and then Madrid. The change around has been radical. First of all, thanks to the confidence of Erik Gerets according to the defender : «The coach looked at what was going on on the field. Looking more deeply, he saw some good things. He knows all about my qualities and my flaws. He renewed his faith against Liverpool. It wasn’t easy, neither for him nor for me, when you’re a coach and you put your faith in a player who is constantly criticesd, then you get a whole lot of criticism as well. He’s a great guy who gives everything he has and puts his faith in us. The least we could do his to repay him on the field.»
Not having come on against Paris or Lorient, the only defeats that OM have suffered this season, Ronald Zubar can claim to be unbeaten in the League this season. And he does. «I hope it will remain like that as long as possible» he announces.
«it was a calculated risk» says the coach. Before adding : «I saw how he reacted in training. I realised that he hadn’t lost anything mentally and I decided to carry on with him. I’m happy and am glad that the supporters followed me and stopped whistling him. He replied to all the questions and got rid of any doubts. He has shown his real face.»
So has something clicled into place for the fiormer Caen player? He says no and believes he has just started from scratch again. «It was the worst thing that could have happened to me. Being whistled by your own supporters, there is nothing more humiliating … I just felt that nothing worse could happen to me. I’d been vaccinated.» He then went on to explain his new frame of mind : «My objective was to play liberated and since the game against Liverpool, I just let go and have been having fun. For my team-mates and the members of my family that were affected by the events, I had to be strong.»
And if he announces that his «mind is clear », that he is not «asking himself anymore questions », he still doesn’t feel that he is «safe». Pitting himself up against Lyon will be a great exercise for him. Having having been up against Fernando Torres or Agüero, the OM defender will be up against yet another young European talent: Karim Benzema. «We know all about him and what he can do , he warns, we watched him against Bayern, he is the real stand out player at Lyon even if they have other players that can be dangerous. But, when Benzema picks up the ball the danger can come from anywhere. We’re forewarned, we know what to expect.» This duel promises to be quite something for a player being reborn.
