Sevilla see QPR ace Taarabt as ideal Negredo partner

Sevilla are ling up a January move for QPR attacking midfielder Adel Taarabt.

Diario de Seville says Sevilla coach Marcelino wants to pair Taarabt in attack with in-form centre-forward Alvaro Negredo.

Taarabt is demanding new contract talks at QPR, which have been shot down by manager Neil Warnock. The midfielder has also lost the captaincy this season to former Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton.

Sevilla's pursuit of Taarabt may end their plans to prise Giovani dos Santos away from Tottenham.

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QPR facing month without star man Taarabt

QPR manager Neil Warnock could lose star midfielder Adel Taarabt for a crucial month in January as Morocco want him back in their squad.

The temperamental 22-year-old walked out on his country after an African Cup of Nations qualifier in June after being asked to be a substitute and he vowed never to return to the side under manager Eric Gerets.

But, with Morocco top of their group and nearing qualification for the finals, Gerets has named the talented forward in his preliminary squad to face Tanzania in October.

"I could not kill Taarabt's international career and that is why I have called him back into the squad but we have still not addressed the issue," Gerets said.

"He is young and I hope he has the right reaction. When I was young I also made crazy decisions so I will definitely not close the door on him.

"I really love him because he creates a good environment but I want to talk to him and he has to grow."

Neil Warnock recently revealed his joy that Fabio Capello was continuing to overlook Joey Barton for England duty and losing Taraabt for what could be up to six weeks will come as a blow to the R's.

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Gerets wants Taarabt talks

Moroccan coach wants meeting with QPR star

Moroccan coach Eric Gerets insists he is yet to patch up his differences with Queens Park Rangers ace Adel Taarabt.

Taarabt fell out with Gerets earlier this year and walked out of the squad, insisting he would not play for them again under the Belgian.

Now Gerets has included him in his squad for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania next month.

But despite this Gerets says he still needs to talk things over with the QPR star.

"It has not been sorted out so far. I want him to know he did a huge stupid thing," Gerets toldFranceFootball.

"He is very young, and I can't kill his international career. When I was young, I did blunders too. I don't definitely close the door, he will come back.

"Moreover, I like him. He is a clown, putting good atmosphere in the group. You need boys like that, and considering his talent, I am keen to talk with him and his agent."

skysports

Morocco call up Taarabt for preliminary squad

Morocco coach Eric Gerets has named controversial midfielder Adel Taarabt in his preliminary squad for their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania.

Taarabt walked out on the Atlas Lions squad in June ahead of their qualifier against Algeria.

At the time he said he would never play for Morocco while Gerets was coach.

It is not clear whether the QPR star will honour the call up for the game in Marrakech on 9 October.

Taarabt was a key factor in QPR's promotion to the Premier League, being named the Championship player of the year.

He has had problems with the Moroccan team before, reacting badly when forced to start last October's 2012 Nations Cup qualifier against Tanzania on the bench.

Having played for France at youth level, Taarabt made his debut for the land of his birth in 2009.

Morocco were already without freescoring Ajax Amsterdam striker Mounir al-Hamdoui for the spicy Algeria clash, with the Atlas Lions keen to avenge their 1-0 defeat in Annaba in March.

Morocco are top of Group D with eight points and an emphatic victory over Tanzania will seal their place at next year's tournament in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Morocco Preliminary squad:

Ismail Aissati (Ajax, Netherlands), Ahmed Ajedou (Wydad Casablanca), Jamal Alioui (Al Kharityath, Qatar), Nordin Amrabat (Kayserispor. Turkey), Ossama Assaidi (Heerenveen, Netherlands), Aissam Badda (FUS Rabat), Micahael Basser (Buraspor, Turkey), Younes Belhanda (Montpellier, France), Mohamed Berrabeh (Wydad Casablanca), Mbark Boussoufa (Anzhi Makhachkala, Russia), Rachid Bourabia (Mons, Belgium), Kamal Chafni (Auxerre, France), Marouane Chamakh (Arsenal, England) Mohammed Chihani (Al Arabi, Qatar), Adil Chihi (Cologne, Germany), Nabil Dirar (Club Brugge, Belgium), Larim El Ahmadi Aroussi (Feyenoord, Netherlands), Youssef El Arabi (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia), Mounir El Hamdaoui (Ajax, Netherlands), Mostapha El Kabir (Cagliari, Italy), Badr El Kaddouri (Celtic, Scotland), Abdelhamid El Kaoutari (Montpellier, France) Ayoub El Khaliqi (Wydad Casablanca), Mehdi El Moutaqui (Udinese, Italy) Youssouf Hadji (Rennes, France), Houssine Kharja (Fiorentina, Italy), Oussama Laghrib (FUS Rabat), Nadir Lamyaghri (Wydad Casablanca), Ahmed Mohamadina (Olympic Khouribga), Mustapha Mrani (MAS), Youssef Rabeh (Wydad Casablanca), Fatah Said (Wydad Casablanca), Rachid Soulaimani (Raja Casablanca), Adel Taarabt (QPR, England)

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Warnock: QPR star is proving his critics wrong

Neil Warnock believes Adel Taarabt is beginning to prove his critics wrong this season.

QPR’s Morocco international made an indifferent start to the campaign after missing out on a move to French side Paris St Germain during the summer, and his sluggish displays against Bolton and Everton in the opening weeks of the season led to questions over the midfielder’s desire and fitness.

Warnock relieved Taarabt of the captaincy, handing the armband to new signing Joey Barton, but Taarabt’s impressive reponse off the field, coupled with lively performances against Newcastle and Wolves have delighted the Rs boss.

“I think he’s answered everybody, not just in matches, but in training as well, from day one he’s been excited,” said Warnock.

“He has responded really well to Joey, I thought they might clash, I’m sure they will at some stage, but Adel’s responded, I think he’s been delighted to get someone like that playing with him.

“Last season, he was a star name in his own eyes, and in the media’s eyes. But from a manager’s eyes, Paddy Kenny, [Shaun] Derry, [Alejandro] Faurlin and [Heidar] Helguson were just as important.

“We got promotion from being a team, Adel was like the icing on the cake. This year I don’t think we’ve got any individuals, I think Adel’s fitting into the system the way we want to play.”

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If I ask you to do something, do it! What Barton told ex-QPR skipper Taarabt in training...

Joey Barton has warned Adel Taarabt to carry out his orders after taking over the captain's armband at QPR.

The midfielder was handed the role by manager Neil Warnock when he joined the club last month replacing the Moroccan playmaker as the Barclays Premier League club's skipper.

And QPR assistant manager Mick Jones has lifted the lid on what Barton had to say to the 22-year-old in training making it clear he knew who's boss.

Jones insists Taarabt has taken Warnock's decision well, saying his reaction to Barton has been fantastic.

He said: 'The manager Neil Warnock met with Adel privately to explain it to him first

'Neil told me Adel accepted Joey had to be the captain. And what’s happened to Adel is that he has looked around the training ground and seen how people like Joey train.

'And I have heard Joey at training sessions say to Adel, "If you want to sulk do it while you’re running back. Don’t do it walking. And if I ask you to do something, do it".

‘Adel’s reaction has been fantastic. Not many people could get that sort of reaction.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2039957/Joey-Barton-warned-Adel-Taarabt-reveals-QPR-assistant.html#ixzz1YbCLehbva

QPR boss sends Taarabt warning

NEIL Warnock has told Adel Taarabt he must keep up his good form if he wants to earn a new deal at QPR.

The mecurical Moroccan wants an improved contract at Loftus Road to bring him in line with top-earners Joey Barton and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

But boss Warnock has warned Taarabt he must sustain his current level until Christmas before the club considers offering him fresh terms.

"A new contract? There are plenty before him - me included!" said Warnock. "Adel has to do his talking on the field. There are a lot of people behind the scenes who have said things, but the only way to answer things is to play well.

"He has no excuse now. He has a team capable of giving him the ball in dangerous areas and he's got to perform well. There are a lot of good cases for contracts as and when we see fit, but I don't see any new contracts for anyone before Christmas.

"We've all got things to prove and we've got to do it consistently. When you've had a good game for an hour, you don't start spouting. You start spouting when you've got nine or 10 goals coming up to Christmas."

Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/london-qpr/2011/09/15/qpr-boss-sends-taarabt-warning-82029-29428566/#ixzz1Y2W3ss3D

Famous five allow Adel Taarabt to rediscover some sparkle



Queens Park Rangers' summer spending may not have yielded a first home win in the Premier League just yet but manager Neil Warnock will believe it has already helped him secure a crucial victory.

While all the drama at Loftus Road last night centred on the most controversial of his 12 signings in new captain Joey Barton, another individual who boasts a suspect temperament provided the sub-plot.
Adel Taarabt may not have been involved in the kind of high-profile incidents Barton has in his career but he has the potential to be just as difficult to deal with.
Warnock's man-management skills helped polish the rough diamond he signed from Tottenham last year into the player who inspired the club to the Championship title in May.
Yet it seemed his love affair with QPR was heading for a premature end as a desire to move back to his homeland in France grew stronger and the subsequent interest from Paris St Germain in the close-season unsettled him.
Luckily for Warnock talks broke down between the two clubs and QPR issued a statement to say they were committed to keeping the Moroccan international at all costs.
Still, they appeared to be the ones who might pay a heavy price for the 21-year-old began the campaign looking listless and disinterested.
The takeover by Tony Fernandes late last month brought excitement as well as necessary funds for Warnock to add some more crucial additions to the astute signings of DJ Campbell, Jay Bothroyd, Danny Gabbidon and Kieron Dyer he had already made.
But there was still a huge question mark against Taarabt, who was used to being the centre of attention. How would he respond to being put in the shade by the arrival of Barton, not to mention other experienced Premier League characters in Shaun Wright-Phillips, Anton Ferdinand, Luke Young and Armand Traore, all of whom made debuts last night.
The fact Warnock confirmed before the game he had taken the captaincy off Taarabt and given it to Barton increased the danger of provoking a sulky reaction. Instead, it appeared a burden had been lifted off his shoulders.
If Wright-Phillips caught the eye with his pace and threatening dribbles on the flanks, Taarabt provided the flair in the middle of the stage.
Freed from the pressure of leading the team as well as the responsibility of being the side's only real creative spark, the sparkle of old was there for everyone to see.
The employment of veteran enforcers Barton and Shaun Derry in front of the back four gave him the chance to express himself with greater confidence further up the pitch and slide threatening balls through on a regular basis as well as display some customary fancy tricks.
It may not have quite led to the goal that the home side more than merited, yet it was a display that earned significant admirers.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew said: "They have a player out there in Taarabt who in tight areas is probably as good as anyone in the division. He caused us a lot of problems as he will a lot of other teams in this League."
While Warnock was understandably aggrieved at the injustice of the result, Taarabt's maturity lifted his spirits.
He said: "I thought Taarabt had his best game on and off the ball with Barton behind him. I had a chat with Adel about the captaincy last week and straight away he was bright about it. I think he appreciates how far we've come and the need to drive on. To do that we need someone who is our leader. I thought he [Barton] epitomised what we are about."
For a player who has also tested the patience of some members of the dressing room, Taarabt's new-found enthusiasm did not go unnoticed either. DJ Campbell has only been at the club for a short while himself but feels the arrival of so many high-profile players has made the midfielder raise his game.
"He was brilliant and it is the best I have seen him play since I have been here," he said. "Adel has ability, everyone can see that, but with the players we've got now you have to raise your game. He was brilliant and you can't ask more of him if he plays like that every week."
The League table will make pleasing reading for QPR today as they sit above Arsenal, Tottenham and Fulham. However, the fact they have scored only one goal in four games should also be cause for concern.
Bothroyd and Wright-Phillips both had efforts cleared off the line but there was also some wasteful finishing and they need to become more clinical if they are to avoid a relegation battle.

thisislondon

QPR boss explains Barton decision

QPR boss Neil Warnock reckons it was a no-brainer making Joey Barton his new captain.

The former Newcastle United midfielder was handed the armband on his debut as Rangers drew 0-0 with the Magpies at Loftus Road last night.

And Warnock believes it was the right decision for Barton to replace Adel Taarabt as skipper.

He said: "I thought Joey handled himself well. He was pushing us all the time. It was the logical thing really [to make his captain].

“Adel was bright about it and appreciates how far we've come. We need to drive on and to do that we need someone who's our leader.

“I thought he [Barton] epitomised what we're about."

Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/london-qpr/2011/09/13/qpr-boss-explains-barton-decision-82029-29410883/#ixzz1XoAvVIBJ

Premier League Relegation Battle: Who Will Survive & Who Will Go Down

We may only be a month into the new Premier League season, but there are several clubs who already have their eyes on next May. 

While the majority of clubs are targeting a top-half finish, a place in the Europa League or the Champions League and perhaps even the title, a select group of clubs will see finishing 17th as a success.

That is almost always the aim of a club that wins promotion up to the top flight, and in the case of this year's new entrants—Queens Park Rangers, Norwich City and play-off winners Swansea City—that is no different.

To survive a debut year in the Premier League is a highly lucrative achievement for a club which has made its way up from the Championship, and the windfall earned for doing so can fund the improvements necessary to consolidate their top-flight status. Upwardly mobile sides can look to the examples set by the likes of Stoke City and Bolton Wanderers as to what can be achieved.

But for the handful of clubs who only just scrapped their way to avoiding relegation, avoiding that fate for another year is often their main motivation. Blackburn Rovers, Wigan Athletic and Wolverhampton Wanderers all went into the final game of last season fighting against the drop.

Here is a look at which of the aforementioned clubs are likely to escape the drop, and which sides are odds on to slip back down to the second tier of English football.  

bleacherreport

Derry: Barton and Taarabt together is going to mean fireworks

Shaun Derry admits he can't wait to see how Joey Barton and Adel Taarabt react to each other in the coming weeks.

Barton moved to Loftus Road on a free transfer from Newcastle last month and looks set to form an intriguing midfield partnership with temperamental Moroccan Taarabt.

And Derry confesses he will be as fascinated as the rest of us to how things pan out.

The 33-year-old midfielder told QPR Podcast, 'Open All R's': "At times I'm going to buy some popcorn and watch the movie unravel, because I'm sure there's going to be fireworks, like there is in any dressing room.

"A lot of people are going to make so much of this Barton and Taarabt situation, but we're hopeful it can blossom and there's an understanding there.

Derry played a huge part in QPR's promotion last season but admits he may have to relinquish his place in the R's starting line-up to new boy Barton.

"As soon as the season ended last year, Neil Warnock was very honest with me and told me he would be getting more players in my position.

"Joey's come in and, if it's Joey in that position, that's the game. I'm not going to moan about it because I love my job."

talksport