Adel Taarabt's in trouble after getting shirty Ian Gibb 24 Aug 2011 Adel Taarabt seems certain to be on a collision course with manager Neil Warnock after his dreadful display of petulance capped an awful night for Queens Park Rangers as they slipped out of the Carling Cup to Rochdale. Rochdale's Nicky Adams approached Taarabt to swap shirts only for the Moroccan to rip off his top, turn away and toss it behind him before stalking off. Warnock then conducted a bizarre press conference, where he praised the midfielder - courted all summer by Paris St-Germain - and said he needed to improve his match sharpness. The Rangers manager said, surely with tongue fixed firmly in cheek: "I was really pleased with Taarabt's attitude. "He doesn't train very well, so he has to play. I was very pleased he came through because he does need three games in a week to just push him on. He looked good fitness wise, the best he's been, apart from the last 15 minutes. "And if we can get another game out of him on Saturday [at Wigan] before the international break, then he promises to be back to what he should be for the Newcastle match. That's quite good, really." Asked why Taarabt doesn't train well, Warnock retorted: "Because he doesn't like training!" That's an extraordinary state of affairs for a player who was made captain last season and led the charge to the Premier League. A year after the capitulation to League Two Port Vale, Warnock tried to brush off the consequences of last night's defeat as an inferior competition he is not much interested in with top flight survival all important. Last season's defeat came amid a 19-game unbeaten League run but this reverse to a League One side, even with multiple changes to the line-up, has to be damaging for the club's morale. In the first home game since Tony Fernandes's takeover, Rochdale deserved the win with goals from former Toulouse and Grimsby striker Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro after five minutes and then a glorious chip by veteran Gary Jones after 81 minutes. Warnock added: "Yes, I'm pleased we're out; the competition needs revamping." But Rochdale manager Steve Eyre countered: "He didn't say that before the game. Any competition in League or Cup that has a front line of Taarabt and [Jay] Bothroyd tells me he was taking it quite serious, pre-game. "Post-game he has wished us all the best and said he hopes that we get the tie we want. He's a fantastic man and you're looking at 1,000 games and more he's managed in - I've not done even a 1,000 minutes yet. "And he's someone I can call on, someone I respect. He's done plenty more than I have." Warnock's mood will not have been lightened by news that, after losing right-back Bradley Orr to injury last night, Fulham have joined the chase for Aston Villa's Luke Young, who is on QPR's wanted list. The former Tottenham and Charlton defender, who can play either side, favours a move to Craven Cottage as Villa target Spurs' Alan Hutton. Warnock knocked back moves for Joe Cole and former Rangers striker Peter Crouch even though Fernandes will be hoping to bring in up to four new players. "I'd love them both but I can't see they'll be at QPR if I'm honest," said the manager. "We couldn't afford one of Crouch's shoelaces! It's easier said than done, bringing players in, even if you've got money. It's not easy to get four or five good players here in a week. "How busy will I be? Too busy. I'm doing 12 weeks' work in eight days and I'm finding it difficult - and tiring! "I hope we get at least one in by the weekend to start it rolling and then push on, Monday and Tuesday. The chairman is really trying his hardest. I spoke to him in Malaysia and he's as excited as I am. But he wants to sign them yesterday." iReader
The lad's an absolute asshole but that's where the modern game has gone. All player power and bad attitudes.
Warnock way off form here - sounds weak in 'special treatment' for Tarbs, disrespectful of opposition in comments on CC, and old 'difficult and tiring ' spending Tony's money. Not a good advert for the club, all a bit amateur hour.
I'm getting a bit pissed off with people taking pops at Warnock. Where would we be without him? Still trying to get out of L1 probably.
Sorry North, thought this forum was about a respectful exchange of views, not bland uniformity. Afraid I have a blind spot for Warnock - hated him as the essence of bringing the game into disrepute before he joined us, respect his achievements in lower league promotions, huge gratitude for the outstanding last 18 months but still cringe every time he opens his mouth. As I have said on other threads he has failed twice at this level - I really don't want him to again, but I really really don't want to be embarrassed by him. In Amit and Tony he has genuinely class acts to live up to - contrast the quotes above to Tony's performance on Talksport....
Amazing how some of you attack Neil. He's by no mean perfect, but he's working bloody hard to get players into OUR club to give us the chance to stay here. Of course he's tired. He's dealing with a list of 12-15 players, who he has to convince to even talk to us let alone sign for us and then agree terms. All in a matter of days now - thanks to the previous owners leaving it this late. Amazing!! Just Amazing!!!!
Im sorry but alot of the blame has to be with T&C if they had got this takeover sorted out a lot sooner then NW would not be in the position he is in now,at the end of last season i bet they were promising Neil would get the money he required to strengthen the team knowing all the time they had no intension of giving him any money.
Also i bet some of the players he has signed now he would never had gone for if he had known TF was taking over.
Tis true Northy, its good to get differing views on the forum. In fairness, you've never tried to curtail it (except when QPAAGH said Nelly was conspiring in selling the Club and pocketing the profits! ). I myself sometimes say sumat controversial without necessarily believing it but just to shake things up and get a healthy debate going. Besides, its good craic!
Will do - and he has certainly improved of late, last night excepted. Of course I don't want him to fail this, is my club - I want him to have the whole season to prove what he can do at this level with a supportive board. I also want him to represent my club with professionalism and dignity. And I don't think this 'be grateful, don't question' attitude is very healthy
The journos must be licking their lips at the potential for column inches that NW provides. Some of his statements are at best naive and bordering on sensational. His comments have clearly stirred up this forum. Would we be happier if he was more appropriate in the media? I would. The occasional controversy is ok, but too much can be an embarrassment and a cast a shadow over our Premier League credentials. We used to get a bit of a grin when Ollie opened his mouth before engaging his brain (remember "a win's a win"?). I don't recall him making an a*** of himself too many times while Blackpool had their brief dalliance with the EPL. I was looking forward to his press conferences because of his frequent inappropriateness, but was also glad that his comments wouldn't be connected with QPR. Whether he was provided with media advice or just decided that he wanted to be taken seriously, I believe NW could take a leaf out of Ollie's book with regards to the press and not get drawn into statements guaranteed to wind up most - including some of us. Just my view.
Perhaps he's deflecting criticism of the team by saying something controversial, who else is the past-master of that?
We all know Adel has his moments but sometimes thats what you get. Tony Adams was a raving drunk but did well for Arsenal. He will always have 'spats' but i can live with one tantrum and ten great games all day.
