I hope things work out for him. For the vast majoriy if the time, he’s a really nice bloke who is liked by everyone he meets. He’s got time for everyone, spends ages doing autographs and talking to supporters etc.
I have some sympathy with him with the cards life has dealt him, but it’s always hard to work out what is a result of his mental health difficulties and what is just straightforward idiocy.
Wigan are taking a massive risk with him. His defence at his UKAD hearing was that his mental health issues impair his decision making. That’s not a good trait for a professional sportsman!
I’m pretty sure Zak genuinely believes what he says himself. He doesn’t wake up in the morning and decide to go out an assault students, get smashed on international duty, get hammered the night before a game, take class A or go out drink driving. His problem is that when he’s faced with a decision, he makes the wrong choice in the moment. Whether that’s a result of the impulsive behaviour that’s a trait of ADHD or whether it’s simple stupidity, nobody knows. But the real test will come when he’s put in a situation where he has to make a decision that goes against his impulsiveness. Can he develop the attribute of self-control that would have stopped him getting into all the situations he has created in the past? Or, as before, will he react without thinking of the consequences until it’s too late? Who knows.
I don’t think the chances are good to be honest. He can’t medicate for his ADHD like most people who suffer from the condition. Statistically, young men with alcohol problems are the least like to be successfully rehabilitated because access to alcohol is so easy. Whilst he has moved to Wigan, it seems he is also still spending a lot of time with his old group of idiotic mates who are a negative influence on his behaviour.
As I say, I hope he gets his life on track. Player welfare is more important than club rivalry. I just don’t fancy his chances......
