Ford urges under-fire Zabik to start scoring (From Bournemouth Echo)

Ford urges under-fire Zabik to start scoring

7:00am Thursday 24th April 2008 in

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PIRATES chief Matt Ford today admitted he will give an ill Karol Zabik "every chance" to pull out of his current on-track slump.

But at the same time he has warned the struggling Pole, sidelined with gallstones, that the Dorset club are in the "results business".

That means the former world under-21 champion has been given notice he must start performing better for Poole Castle Cover or risk losing his team place.

Ford, though, has said he will not act in haste over Zabik's position because he doesn't want to make a "knee-jerk" reaction.

Zabik was forced to pull out of Poole's home clash against Eastbourne last night because he was spending a second night in Torun hospital recovering from an operation for gallstones.

Ford said: "Karol has already had one lot of treatment when they put a camera down his throat into the affected area.

"That was two weeks ago but it didn't do the job. He is now in hospital in Poland again.

"I have asked him to let me know as soon as possible the extent of the problem and if it will affect his racing schedule.

"We have a week's gap before our next meeting, although I'm sure Karol is down to ride in Poland on Sunday and in Sweden on Tuesday when their league begins.

"Hopefully he will be back for our Craven Shield semi-final at home to Coventry on Wednesday."

Ford, who saw Zabik fail to score from five rides for Pirates in a 48-45 league defeat Coventry on Friday, added: "I don't know how long Karol will be out.

"We just have to wait and get confirmation from him.

"Karol clearly has had his own problems which were on view for everyone to see at Coventry where he looked a shadow of his self.

"Let's hope we can get to the bottom of the problem, both with his health and with his lack of confidence on track.

"I'm trying to give him every chance to pull himself out of this position.

"Of course Pirates fans want their team to win, but I believe they are being very patient with Karol and I think that is very wise at this point.

"Let's not make a knee-jerk reaction we will regret later on in the season.

"However, as I always will, I view the situation individually with any rider at any point in time.

"Don't read too much into this, it doesn't mean he is going to be taken out of the team, but clearly we are in a results business."