Taarabt happy with return

Queens Park Rangers star Adel Taarabt revealed his delighted after helping Morocco to the African Cup of Nations on his international return.

Taarabt had been at loggerheads with coach Eric Gerets, but he was recalled for their clash with Tanzania.

And on his return he fired home a brilliant free-kick in their 3-1 win - which booked their spot in next year's finals.

"I am very happy," Taarabt told skysports.com.

"You saw how I celebrated the goal with coach Eric Gerets, who has been very understanding with me.

"I dedicate that goal to him, he gave me another chance to show my worth to my country and I am very proud of that."

Taarabt now feels Morocco have a great chance of winning in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, especially as the likes of Egypt, Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa and Algeria all failing to qualify.

"We are going to the competition [ACN] with confidence with so many big teams absent I think we have a great chance," said Taaraby.

"The only outstanding team there is Ghana, the Ivory Coast have the outstanding individuals, on their day they will beat each one of us, but we have our chances."

skysports

Warnock - Taarabt no problem

Neil Warnock has defended Adel Taarabt following the playmaker's reaction to his half-time substitution in Queens Park Rangers' heavy 6-0 defeat to Fulham on Sunday.

Taarabt was reportedly photographed leaving Craven Cottage at the interval after he was substituted, although the Moroccan has told Sky Sports News that was not the case.

QPR boss Warnock has also denied allegations that the pair argued, insisting he was not bothered by Taarabt's behaviour.

Warnock told The Independent: "It doesn't bother me. The dressing rooms at Craven Cottage are in one corner of the ground, the bench is on the halfway line on the far side of the pitch. I'm not going to insist he walks 60 yards just to sit and watch us lose."

Rangers were already 3-0 down before the manager sacrificed both Taarabt and Shaun Derry in a bid to plug his leaking defence.

"At half-time I was more concerned with my defence," continued Warnock. "I said: 'Dessie, you're off, and you are as well Adel.' That was it.

"People talk about him storming off. I didn't even know he'd gone. And he certainly didn't go to the pub for a pint as some have reported - he's a Muslim and doesn't drink.

"They want to be careful he doesn't sue them for saying that."

Meanwhile, fellow substitute Derry stayed to watch the remainder of the match with Warnock highlighting Taarabt's temperamental track record.

"They are different people" added Warnock. "Adel is young and emotional. He does these things.

"Last year he said he'd never play for Morocco again after he was made substitute in a game. Guess where he is now? Heading for Morocco to play for them.

"I'll see him at training when we get back and, with the rest of the team, we'll start preparing for the next match at Blackburn. My main concern at the moment is which defenders we'll have fit and available, not Adel.

"You're going to get days when Adel throws his toys out of the pram, that isn't a worry for me, I'd have more problem if someone was happy being subbed."

skysports

Warnock: Taarabt needs help from QPR team-mates to seal move to big club

ADEL Taarabt will need the current crop of QPR players if he wants a move to a big club – says the man who doesn’t want to sell him.

Boss Neil Warnock insists the £12million rated midfielder will stay for the time being – he’s enjoying it too much at Loftus Road – but he can see the day when the player does leave.

“Adel’s knows that if he wants a move to one of the top clubs, he’s going to need these players to give him a stage,” said Warnock.

“There was a time when he was very much the shining light here but he knows that’s not the case now, and I think he has got a lift by having these other players and has reacted to it.”

The Moroccan international was on the cusp of a switch to Paris St Germain in the summer. He has now been linked with Lazio this week, but Warnock also insists other unsung heroes are just as ready to plunder the club’s third away win at Fulham on Sunday.

“No-one mentions Anton Ferdinand here as one of our top players,” he added.

"I don’t think see anybody better than him in the country, when he plays like he can play. Luke Young is just as good and I’m glad he’s retired from international football.

“Such is the enthusiasm, it’s like chucking two coats down in the park – they want to play that much.

"You can’t say Joey Barton does it for money – he’s got enough already. And what was right-back Luke Young doing on the goal line in the last minute against Villa? I find it incredible no-one mentioned that. It’s because he wants to win.

“It takes you years to find that kind of spirit. We had that spirit here already, and the arrival of our new players has taken it on another level.”

Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/london-qpr/2011/10/01/warnock-taarabt-needs-help-from-qpr-team-mates-82029-29520428/#ixzz1ZZk8ZVas

Wizard Taarabt left Martin Jol spellbound

Martin Jol fell under the spell of QPR midfielder Adel Taarabt so totally that he tried to sign him three times.


The Dutchman was in charge of ­Tottenham when they brought the man known as ‘The Wizard’ to England as a temperamental teenager.


Jol was so impressed with the Moroccan’s talents that following his north London exit, he tried to take him to two other clubs.


Only Spurs’ hefty price-tag prevented 22-year-old Taarabt from teaming up with Jol twice more.




They come face-to-face today with Jol fearing the man who once saved his skin. He explained: “Damien Camolli recommended him but I knew about him and wanted to sign him for Spurs. He was a gamble and unfortunately didn’t break through.


“After I went abroad I tried to sign him at Ajax and with Hamburg but they ­wanted too much for him – or maybe I just wanted him on the cheap. He never played 90 ­minutes in the first team at Tottenham but he saved our necks against West Ham when we beat them 4-3 in the League Cup.


“He came on and nutmegged somebody, as he likes to, and won a free-kick that Berbatov scored to make it 3-3. Paul Stalteri scored the winner.”


Such talent is what made Neil Warnock take Taarabt to Loftus Road but it has not all been plain sailing.


“He didn’t frustrate me, he made me happy,” Jol said.


“But I can imagine Neil will be frustrated if he keeps on doing the same things.


“He has varied his game now. He’s playing one-touch, two-touch and he’s getting better and better. He’s one of the best No.10s around.”






Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Queens-Park-Rangers-Adel-Taarabt-left-Fulham-manager-Martin-Jol-spellbound-article806882.html#ixzz1ZZiG1mok
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TAARABT FAN DANNY MURPHY

The picture is not from the source.

DANNY MURPHY fears Fulham could be sunk tomorrow by a player he wanted at Craven Cottage.

QPR’s star midfielder Adel Taarabt was a team-mate of Murphy during his spell at Tottenham five years ago.

The Moroccan had just arrived at White Hart Lane and Murphy was so impressed he later tried to get ex-boss Roy Hodgson to sign him for Fulham.

Instead Taarabt ended up at QPR, where he scored 19 goals in his first season.

“He had a superb temperament,” Murphy said. “If he got kicked he never moaned. 

“He had a strong mentality and he’s reaping his rewards now, so he’s probably destined for bigger and better things.

“We’ve got to deal with him on Sunday, so we’ll have to be careful.”

Fulham could bring back Bobby Zamora for the visit of QPR with two-goal Europa League hero Andy Johnson potentially dropping out.

But Murphy is hoping Johnson will shake off any disappointment and sign a new long-term deal.

dailystar

Neil Warnock lift for Adel Taarabt

ADEL TAARABT has been reassured he is still QPR's main man.

The Moroccan maestro led Rangers to the Championship title last term.

But new signing Joey Barton was immediately given the captain's armband and the club's glut of other big-name arrivals have also pushed Taarabt out of the limelight.

Hoops boss Neil Warnock insists, though, temperamental Taarabt, 22, remains his team's star player.

Warnock, whose side face west London neighbours Fulham tomorrow, said: "Adel's been the main man. He is our shining light and has been instrumental to where we are now.

"He's played well this season. Having the other players in has given him a lift because he is just concentrating on playing. I think you can see how hard he is trying."

Ex-Spurs ace Taarabt missed out on a big-money move to Paris St-Germain when it broke down in the summer. Warnock added: "The ability that Adel has got is not in question.

"He's got to put the other part into his game and is trying hard to do that. I've said to him if you look at the top clubs like Barcelona, all the players work their socks off.

"I don't think he is thinking about his next move — not now. I think he just wants to play well and keep his position in the team. He is a lovely lad, trains hard — that's how he is."

Warnock last night slammed Manchester City bad-boy Carlos Tevez and said: "He's done himself a load of harm.

"There are many English and foreign players who kiss the badge when really all they are bothered about is how much they take home at the end of the day.

"I think the sooner he leaves the country the better."

thesun

Arsenal Plan £12m January Bid for QPR Playmaker Adel Taarabt

Arsene Wenger will reportedly attempt to lure Qpr youngster Adel Taarabt into a move from West to North London this January. The Arsenal boss is looking for further creative midfield options having lost Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas in the summer and has earmarked a move for the Moroccan