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Warnock tips Taarabt to shine on the road, Parker glad of a second chance, Roberts linked again
Warnock tips Taarabt to shine on the road, Parker glad of a second chance, Roberts linked again
Wednesday, 25th Aug 2010 22:44 by Clive Whittingham

Neil Warnock says he expects Adel Taarabt’s game to benefit from playing away from home, meanwhile Josh Parker has been speaking about his meteoric rise and the Jason Roberts story continues to loiter.

News

QPR take their perfect league record back on the road this weekend to Pride Park, a happy hunting ground for the R’s in recent years. QPR have never lost in Derby since the Rams moved to their new home and won 4-2 last season live on th BBC after initially falling 2-0 behind. Adel Taarabt was one of many QPR stars that night, scoring the first goal with a fine free kick, and the Moroccan has started this season in fine form as well. Manager Neil Warnock expects Taarabt’s talents to shine through away from home this season as teams push forward to attack his team, leaving space in behind for Taarabt to exploit.

Warnock told the Ealing Gazette: “I actually think Adel will blossom more away from home than at home, as daft as it sounds, because teams have to have a go at us. There will be periods in the season when he hits a brick wall because there are times when the creative players don't have a good game – but away games may be easier. Savage marked him out of the game down here last season so it will be a good test for him but I think we've got enough armoury in our locker to let Adel go for a walk and let somebody else take over.

“He's been a cracking lad since his comeback and he's put a lot into his work because he's going to get some kicking. It shows character if you want the ball, knowing you are going to get kicked.”

Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny told the official website today that he too has been impressed with Taarabt’s performances since he returned to the club. Kenny said: “"He's unreal isn't he? It's a joy to watch him play. I've got one of the best seats in the house when we're attacking and we've played some really great stuff in our first three matches."

Josh Parker has been speaking to the local press this week about his breakthrough into the QPR first team under Neil Warnock. Parker was well out of the picture under the previous managers at QPR, and returned early from a three month loan with AFC Wimbledon after just two substitute appearances.

Parker told the Fulham Chronicle: “I lost quite a bit of passion for the game. I thought, if I’m not going to play at Wimbledon, I’ve got no chance of succeeding at QPR. I’m just never going to play here. My confidence was at an all-time low.

“The boss has been brilliant with me. He’s always giving me advice and encouraging me to keep listening to him and to keep improving. Maybe because I grew up without a dad, Rangers feels like a family to me. Players like Fitz Hall and Peter Ramage have really looked after me, like mentors.

“I would like to become a legend at QPR like Henry is at Arsenal. I didn’t really follow QPR as a kid, but my mum did and I’d like to be the sort of player fans look to to bring a bit of magic. Certainly, I feel I’m the only one who let myself down now."

Finally 16-year-old keeper Gareth Deane has been called up to the Northern Ireland U17 side for a double header of friendlies against Slovakia on September 7 and 9.

Rumours

The rumour mill continues to grind, just five days before the transfer window closes, and Blackburn striker Jason Roberts is apparently keen on coming to Loftus Road – according to the Kilburn Times. A source close to the player told the paper: “It's certainly something Jason's looking at - he's never played in London and the challenge of coming back to play a stone's throw from where he grew up, is one that interests him. Jason would be a great addition for QPR - he's got a great track record at getting clubs out of the Championship. It would be fitting to come back to London and drive his local team into the Premier League. It ticks a lot of boxes and it'd be a bit like Craig Bellamy going to Cardiff, not just in terms of a homecoming but it would also send out a big signal about how serious QPR are."

Roberts has been told he can leave Blackburn Rovers but his manager at Ewood Park Sam Allardyce has said this week he has received no offers for the 32-year-old. Earlier this summer it was reported that Roberts’ £30,000 a week wages were a big stumbling block for QPR, who were said to be eyeing up a loan deal.

Former R’s

Chelsea’s Michael Mancienne will once again spend this season on loan at Wolves, the third time he has spent a whole year at Molineux on a temporary basis. Mancienne has made 110 senior appearances in his career, but all but six of those have come in loan spells with QPR and Wolves. Chelsea’s £5m valuation of the 22-year-old and his £25,000 a week wages have discouraged Wolves and Newcastle from making an offer for him permanently, instead preferring to take him on loan even though the player is now keen to leave Stamford Bridge.

Striker Jamie Cureton has signed a one year deal with League One side Exeter City. Cureton has been back with his first club Norwich City for the last three years but his contract was not renewed in the summer following the Canaries’ promotion and he has played in Exeter’s first two games of the season on non-contract terms. Cureton, 35 this weekend, endured a tough spell with QPR after moving to Loftus Road from Korea – he was signed after QPR had already signed Tony Thorpe and Ian Holloway struggled to fit him into his side. He scored seven goals, four of them against Coventry, in 23 starts and 23 sub appearances for Rangers between February 2004 and May 2005.

Rangers legend Gareth Ainsworth is celebrating making 500 professional appearances in his career. Ainsworth was a second half substitute for Wycombe in their 0-0 draw against Oxford in League Two at the weekend – a game in which former Rangers junior Nikki Bull excelled with a third straight clean sheet for Gary Waddock’s men.

Ainsworth told Wycombe’s official website: “Getting to 500 games is done and dusted and it's nice to be there but now we're concentrating on the reasons why we didn't win. It's a good day for me personally but I wanted Wycombe to win. When I woke up this morning I thought it might be the day when I get to 500 but when the gaffer was telling me to warm up, I wasn't thinking about that. I just wanted to get out on the pitch and give everything to make an impact.

"The gaffer said to me on Friday I was going to be on the bench and I was fine with that. Anyone could have missed out after the Stockport game and he wanted to try something different. I told him I'm ready whenever he needs me and whether I'm on the pitch, on the bench or in the stands, I just want to win.

"He [Bull] was outstanding. He's really come into the prime of his career and the save in the second half was awesome, as well as the one he tipped onto the bar. He earned that point for us and if anyone deserves the plaudits, it's Nikki Bull. We don't like picking out individuals but he was something special."

Championship Shorts

- Leicester are poised to complete the signing of Japan international Yuki Abe from J-League side Urawa Reds, although the club’s takeover by a Thai consortium has yet to be ratified by the Football League as it is not clear exactly who is buying the club.

- Cardiff’s platoon of Premiership loan players grew a man stronger today with Wolves forward Andy Keogh moving to South Wales on a season long loan deal. The Bluebirds have quelled criticism of their squad building during a period of financial uncertainty by paying Motherwell in full for the transfer of Stephen Quinn.

- Palace have allowed striker Alan Lee to join League One big spenders Huddersfield for an undisclosed fee. Lee has been involved in the Palace first team at the start of this season but the 32-year-old has been allowed to leave Selhurst Park as they completed a deal for Pablo Counago from Ipswich earlier this week. Edgar Davids made his Eagles’ debut in the League Cup at Portsmouth on Tuesday night, playing 90 minutes at left back.

- Derby manager Nigel Clough has confirmed Notts County midfielder Ben Davies is one of a number of players being looked at by the Rams. Clough left his side’s 2-1 defeat at Coventry early on Saturday to watch Notts County play but Magpies boss Craig Short says he is loathe to lose the player. Short said: “I don't want to lose him. No one has called me or the chairman. I think they might be watching him but there is nothing we are aware of." The Rams may once again be without striker Rob Hulse for this weekend’s game against QPR.

- Stoke, West Ham and West Brom are fighting it out to sign Portsmouth captain Marc Wilson with Pompey boss Steve Cotterill admitting he could be powerless to stop his skipper leaving.

Photo: Action Images



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