Fulham recruit Adel Taarabt insists he has found a family at Craven Cottage after QPR's 'collection of strangers' Adel Taarabt has painted a bleak picture of life at Queens Park Rangers, insisting he’s left a team of strangers at Loftus Road for a ‘family’ at Fulham. Fulham recruit Adel Taarabt insists he has found a family at Craven Cottage after QPR's 'collection of strangers' Under fire: Fulham new boy Adel Taarabt says he feels at home, and has dismissed allegations that he is a lazy player By Jason Mellor10:30PM BST 18 Aug 2013 The Moroccan international needed no second invitation to accept the opportunity earlier this month to join Queens Park Rangers West London rivals Fulham on a season-long loan. In a successful debut he then helped them puncture the sense of optimism on Wearside with a utilitarian 1-0 win over Sunderland that was effective, rather than pleasing on the eye. “Fulham is a very different club to QPR,” Taarabt claimed. “There are so many players here who have been here a long time — four or five years — and it’s more of a family club. Everyone is friends with each other. You sense it as soon as you walk in. Last year, QPR signed 12 players and there were many strangers. It was difficult.” Sunderland almost emulated that figure this summer, hitting double figures of new recruits, and it showed as a side with five debutants inevitably took time to gel. Taarabt added: “Here, there’s more of a team spirit. I’ve only been at Fulham a few weeks, but everyone has made me welcome. It’s not just about the players, but the backroom staff. Everyone at the club is so friendly. "It’s one big happy family. That’s why people like to stay here, and it’s known as a friendly club for a good reason." The addition of Taarabt to a side already possessing Dimitar Berbatov is surely one luxury player too many, but not according to Martin Jol, who is happy to accommodate high-maintenance performers who he claims are imbued with a work ethic for which they are not given credit. “The defensive side of the game isn’t Adel’s favourite hobby,” the Dutchman conceded after his side secured victory courtesy of a first Premier League goal from Pajtim Kasami, the Swiss Under-21 international easily out-jumping defender Valentin Roberge to head in Damien Duff’s corner. The Fulham manager added: “Players like Adel are blamed when results go wrong, but he worked hard and that’s the most important thing. Likewise with Berbatov, he worked as hard as he ever has. If you give him one finger he gives you his hand.” Taarabt arguably spent too much time attempting to buy bogus free-kicks with ridiculous dives, but he remained adamant he had put in a shift for his new employers. “It was the perfect debut for me,” he said. “It was a fantastic result and a great start to the season. I certainly put in a lot of work. People who say I’m a lazy player won’t be saying that now. I did everything asked of me and didn’t complain. “People criticise me and give me a bad image. I don’t know why. I’m not this guy they paint a bad picture of. They call me lazy and I only play when I feel like it, but that’s not true. "Saying I don’t want to play in the Championship does not make me a bad person. I was lucky coming here because Martin knows me not just as a footballer but as a person. He knows the real me. Everyone says I’m a bad boy, but not Martin. Yes I can get a bit upset on the pitch, who doesn’t?” Sunderland weren’t without their opportunities. A notable save to deny Ondrej Celustka by Maarten Stekelenburg, the Fulham goalkeeper forced off towards the end with a shoulder injury, in addition to a glaring late miss from substitute Ji Dong-won gave rise to hope that Paolo Di Canio is making progress with his wide-ranging changes at the Stadium of Light. “Defeat’s a lot easier to take when someone smashes one in from 35 yards,” Adam Johnson, who provided the cross which Ji should have headed in as injury-time approached, said. The England midfield player added: “It was a sloppy goal to concede from a set-piece, and a harsh lesson.” Di Canio declined to shield debutant Roberge from blame for a non-jump that left Kasami with a simple finish for the winner. “My central defender lost the guy at the back post without jumping,” the Sunderland head coach said. “You may think it’s not fair to point the finger at the player who makes a mistake, but if means that he improves, it can help.” Money well spent? Sunderland Cabral made a promising debut start, while Ondrej Celustka looked as if he had been in the Premier League for years. Valentin Roberge was at fault for the only goal and Emanuele Giaccherini faded. Fulham Maarten Stekelenburg was outstanding in goal and Adel Taarabt showed glimpses of inspiration. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...ttage-after-QPRs-collection-of-strangers.html
Look, he really tries and never complains, ok? Interesting comments about the atmosphere at the Club last season, though. I get the sense that things have changed in that respect.
What has he said that wasn't true .. Taarabt was a hard working player for us and off the pitch the club was a mess .. he has to play for his new club now ... no problem imo and he is a brilliant player
This ****er has no right to talk about team spirit after jumping on a bus while his team mates are still playing, what a total bellend.
He should've just said that he was pleased to be here and made no comment on anything Rangers related. Very naive of him. I guess he doesn't think that he'll be coming back to us after his loan spell.
He hasn't really said anything that Derry (on a shorter loan deal) hasn't also revealed. Hughes managed to get 10 games of solid work out of him in our survival run. Him and Redknapp don't get on. He does with Jol and we might just see what we'll be missing. I wish him every success because football will be a much better spectacle with Taarabt thriving.
Posted that before I saw your comment Ninesy so not a reaction to your post. I might have papered over a couple of his shortcomings but do think he will do well in a stable environment. I think Jol will work with him rather than against him too.
Thought Taarabt was spot-on in his assessments. If anything, he was probably pretty generous about last years clueless bunch of mercenaries. Just strikes me as the type of interview a player trying to fit in at a new club would give- particularly one where he was booed on his debut, and where the majority of fans despise his previous club.
He doesn't have to think - he's NOT coming back. Full stop. He'll just sign a long-term one over there, as long as they stay up. If not, he'll just move on elsewhere. We're just too disorganized. He's got it right.
Spot on. He wasn't wanted here, he is at Fulham. End of!! Still more Taarabt threads even though he's left........quite amazing!
One game does not make a season, so he tried hard in his first game and why wouldnt he? We all know that he is a sulky git, more interested to see how he acts when things go against him. He isnt appreciated by Harry who is too busy collecting no flair yes men. Never thought id ever hear myself say this but i am hoping Harry takes up golf full time and McClaren takes over.
Funny that, Barton thought the same thing ............. As you mentioned, anyone with an ounce of grey matter would've said, "please to be here" and left it at that. After reading the million of posts about him over the past six months, there were many on here that supported him when he repeatedly let the fans, the players & the club down. I was not one of them but those who did, deserve better.
Voice of reason to the vultures Some should be ashamed IMO QPR has been mis managed Taarabt is a great player
