The Watchlist – Adel Taarabt
Filed under: The Watchlist - Posted by: stilicho
The enigmatic architect of QPR’s euphoric promotion campaign, Adel Taarabt’s haul of 19 goals and 16 assists last season marked him out as the prime Fantasy Premier League (FPL) target from this term’s graduate teams. Undoubtedly skilful, the reproaches of selfishness and defensive negligence torpedoed his two top-flight seasons with Spurs but, with a starting berth for the Hoops seemingly assured, many backed the Moroccan magician to silence the doubters and light up the league.
Though initially priced at a thought-provoking 6.5, a lacklustre start to the campaign saw Taarabt’s investors running for cover long before his transport-themed fall from grace under Neil Warnock hit the back pages. Banished to the bench in November and assuming the role of bit-part player under the old regime, the Moroccan –with no goals or assists to his name- has even made Victor Moses seem particularly prolific this term.
Returning from the African Cup of Nations last weekend, Taarabt was immediately installed to the first-team by Mark Hughes. Partnering Shaun Wright-Phillips on the flanks against Wolves in an aggressive 4-4-2, he emerged with great credit from a threatening display by a ten-man QPR. His new manager was clearly delighted with the Moroccan’s contribution and, having pulled Taarabt out of his hat, Hughes appears little inclined to employ him as a bench-warmer over a run of games (bla FUL EVE bol) that should provide ample opportunity for attacking returns.
New acquisitions Bobby Zamora and Djibril Cisse have already made their mark in a QPR side that suffered earlier in the season from a glut of creators and a dearth of reliable finishers, and Taarabt looks set to benefit from having a more clinical outlet for his technical wizardry. With his price down to 5.8, Taarabt is now in direct competition with Joey Barton (5.8) and Shaun Wright-Phillips (5.9) for those looking to invest in QPR’s midfield over this favourable run.
Barton’s holding role may put him at a disadvantage from an FPL perspective in a setup that promises attack from the flanks, and with Taarabt presumably restored to direct free kicks, Barton’s potential looks more limited under the new regime. With two assists in his last four games, Wright-Phillips is doing his best to dispel his customary aura of frenetic impotence, but whilst Taarabt never looks far away from conjuring up a piece of magic, Wright-Phillips never looks far away from falling over his own feet.
With the wildcard window a homogenising influence on our squads, picking the right differentials has never been more important, and, with just 3% ownership, the new dawn at Loftus Road may well prove beneficial for this summer’s forgotten FPL favourite.
About The Author
“stilicho spent a lot of money on rent, food and sundries, the rest he just put in a savings account.”
stilicho @FFScout_stili
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February 8 at 8:26 pm
fitzy says:
Mcclean injury bad?
February 8 at 8:35 pm
mosstapha says:
look what you’ve started!
mcclean fine, played whole half (averagely)
February 8 at 8:26 pm
johnmcnevin77777 says:
Not for me thanks
February 8 at 8:26 pm
Egg Chaser says:
boo
February 8 at 8:28 pm
jkisthe1 says:
damn it, just when I’d gotten over my Tarrabt fixation.
February 8 at 8:32 pm
Thesteady says:
Stop overthinking JKHISTHE1
February 8 at 8:34 pm
Somalion says:
Time to get over it again, very good championship player. So far is a premiership bottler. Plus he told me you look silly!
February 8 at 8:48 pm
Count Of Monte Hristo says:
Haha!
February 8 at 8:55 pm
jkisthe1 says:
now THAT I will not tolerate, no one is allowed to tell me I look silly unless I’m trying to score a date with her.
Siggy is in.
February 8 at 8:30 pm
RASPUTIN says:
Yo lads… Team linked.. Trans this week? 1ft
think Lind / al habz
February 8 at 8:36 pm
WinThe2ndHalf says:
I think Id save the transfer and bench Sessegnn, Enrique and Williamson, Team looks good enough this week.
February 8 at 8:38 pm
RASPUTIN says:
Dthank u v much boss think u right
February 8 at 8:31 pm
WinThe2ndHalf says:
What player would ye bench out of the following this week?:
Silva Sessegnon Bale Dempsey Valencia
RVP Ba Dzeko
February 8 at 8:32 pm
RASPUTIN says:
Sess… Thoughts on me above question boss?
February 8 at 8:32 pm
Sporting Abeergut says:
none of them.
February 8 at 8:37 pm
WinThe2ndHalf says:
Have to bench one. Unfortunately.
February 8 at 8:38 pm
Sporting Abeergut says:
Ba
February 8 at 8:42 pm
AXER says:
bench Valencia for me.
February 8 at 8:43 pm
WinThe2ndHalf says:
Why do you say Valencia? Of the 8 players he would be one of the first Id play.
February 8 at 8:58 pm
AXER says:
because i currently dont have him anymore in my team as i did Valencia to Siggy
February 8 at 8:34 pm
RVP4CPT says:
Dzeko
February 8 at 8:40 pm
Manamongst says:
Ba or Sess
February 8 at 8:41 pm
WinThe2ndHalf says:
Thanks guys.
February 8 at 8:46 pm
Podge says:
Ba or sess
February 8 at 8:31 pm
Eddie says:
Anyone else see the Colback goal ??
February 8 at 8:31 pm
Aguerolicious says:
great finish!!!
February 8 at 8:33 pm
mosstapha says:
caught it lovely didn’t he. couldn’t get it much more top corner than that either
February 8 at 8:37 pm
Pat Mustard says:
Nice finish, left foot
February 8 at 8:31 pm
Henry Hill says:
With Cisse banned he will probably be pushed up top with Zamora for next 3. Looked serious against Wolves too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Xm5r6gJk4
February 8 at 8:32 pm
jkisthe1 says:
Don’t make me go back there, i don’t want to back there.
February 8 at 8:43 pm
AXER says:
lol youve posted this once before if im not mistaken?
February 8 at 8:44 pm
Henry Hill says:
I’m putting my reputation on the line with him
February 8 at 8:31 pm
RASPUTIN says:
McLean injuries?….. Da fok?
February 8 at 8:32 pm
Kings of Lyon says:
Ive got that Taarabt vs Frayboys SWP
i fancy my chances in the next 4
February 8 at 8:33 pm
RASPUTIN says:
Hmmmm kol… Don’t like either me old scotch
February 8 at 8:40 pm
Kings of Lyon says:
its just a bet Fratboy and I do… choose an average player for the next 4 gws and see who scores highest. Wouldnt touch in the FF though
February 8 at 8:46 pm
RASPUTIN says:
Ah fratboy!
Then yeh… Defo u kol
February 8 at 8:32 pm
Now back to me says:
Ohhh i knew this was coming! I am trying hard to resist, stop tempting me… stop, ok fine, i’ll get him.
February 8 at 8:34 pm
hvsauce says:
Doing it this week?
February 8 at 8:35 pm
Now back to me says:
It has to be doesn’t it? Blackburn without Givet, and by the looks of it, Samba and Lowe will be out aswell. Their home form is also atrocious.
February 8 at 8:40 pm
hvsauce says:
Yeah I quite like Taarabt, had him earlier in the year. Unfortunate for QPR and him that Cisse got sent off last week. I wonder if he’s back on penalties now also.
February 8 at 8:41 pm
hvsauce says:
Is the Ox out then?
February 8 at 8:47 pm
Now back to me says:
Hmmm no i am going to resist. Keep the Ox this week and bring in Taarabt next week.
February 8 at 8:56 pm
hvsauce says:
I envy your self-control
February 8 at 8:44 pm
Manamongst says:
Read my mind,besides I have a feeling that this is the week Siggy would f*ck me if I acquired him. I already have Zamora and I feel it could be a sick amount of goals in this one; Yak included (but not touching…batteries sold separately).
February 8 at 8:44 pm
AXER says:
SAME HEREEEEE, i already did Valencia>Siggy. so to bring in Taarabt id have to take a 4 pt hit AND get rid of either Bale Silva Sess Demps. which i assume would be Sess. is it worth it considering Taarabt have a nice 4 games coming right up?
February 8 at 8:52 pm
Now back to me says:
Certainly worth considering, it depends on your league situation and how many have Sessegnon. For me, i will be taking a hit either way, whether it be this week or next, so the way i need to look at it is who is likely to score more this GW, Taarabt away to blackburn or Oxlade away to Sunderland.
February 8 at 8:59 pm
Manamongst says:
both I think are capable of pulling in at least 10, Ox moreso than Adel. The Hughes I know left me high and dry last year on a DGW Simon Davies punt…the f*cker. So you’ll have to forgive the skepticism of ‘OOP smoke’ being blown up the culo.
February 8 at 9:00 pm
AXER says:
yeahh about 3 teams in my league have sess in their team. would really be a differential if i get taarabt in
February 8 at 8:55 pm
Manamongst says:
bye bye Sess???
February 8 at 8:32 pm
Somalion says:
Went to read the article but then noticed the title. Go away Taarabt. Also, I reckon I should be the next English manager. Lamps and Gerrard don’t work together in the middle. I’d have no problem dropping either of them, Lamps I’d just wave a Big Mac in front of and sure I wouldn’t be able to understand Stevie ranting at me. Plus I’m a Sith Lord. Just saying is all
February 8 at 8:49 pm
Podge says:
Just do that choking thing from distance and they’ll soon cop on who’s boss
February 8 at 8:51 pm
Somalion says:
Can’t wait!
“But gaffa, you have to play Stevie!”
“I find your lack of faith disturbing”
*Chokes*
February 8 at 8:33 pm
Conrad. says:
hell, did McClean get injured?
February 8 at 8:33 pm
Kanus hat trick says:
Adel Tarrabat
February 8 at 8:34 pm
Kanus hat trick says:
oops, post fail lol
February 8 at 8:33 pm
RVP4CPT says:
Who to bench from my front 8…
Silva – Bale – Dempsey – Sessegnon – Siggurdsson
Ba – RVP -Aguero
February 8 at 8:33 pm
Thesteady says:
Naarow it down to Ba/Silva
February 8 at 8:40 pm
WinThe2ndHalf says:
Going on current form Id bench Silva.
February 8 at 9:00 pm
Bendy Busdriver says:
ba or sess and RVP for Captain
February 8 at 8:33 pm
Thesteady says:
Taarabt… NO THANKS!
February 8 at 8:34 pm
RASPUTIN says:
Innit
February 8 at 8:33 pm
hvsauce says:
“Hello FA. Its Arry from Tottnum.”
http://p.twimg.com/AlJ8-eaCIAE-43-.jpg
February 8 at 8:36 pm
Now back to me says:
Looooooool
February 8 at 8:38 pm
Kanus hat trick says:
Triffic
February 8 at 8:33 pm
A2U says:
Couple of questions if that’s ok:
Best defender to replace Huth for the next three weeks? Can’t be from Man City or Fulham, considering Cahill and ShawX.
Also, does anyone know when Jones is scheduled to be back?
February 8 at 8:33 pm
transferaddict says:
Did anyone just hear Neil Warnock’s interview on 5live talking about Capello. He hasn’t got a feckin clue. What a tool.
February 8 at 8:34 pm
Kanus hat trick says:
Did he say “Tarrabat”
February 8 at 8:36 pm
RASPUTIN says:
Championship league genius tranaddikt
February 8 at 8:34 pm
Fitzy says:
Jack Charlton for England!
February 8 at 8:37 pm
RASPUTIN says:
Ouch mate…. He ma dads hero
February 8 at 8:35 pm
Hate that rotation says:
Dont know what was going on in the dressing room, but you get a feeling that the big egos like Terry, Lampard, Ferdinand etc didnt like Capello while the younger less experienced players did.
February 8 at 8:35 pm
SillyBilly says:
Sunderland only score crackers under O’Neill it seems….
February 8 at 8:36 pm
Kanus hat trick says:
At this rate they’ll win the league and cup
February 8 at 8:35 pm
bunyanchris says:
Remember reading a finktank piece in the times a year or two back on average number of goals scored per game for each month, anyone know if it goes up or down towards the end of the season?
February 8 at 8:36 pm
Somalion says:
Trapattoni for the English job….. PLEASE TAKE HIM!
February 8 at 8:37 pm
Henry Hill says:
You want to get rid of the man who has got Ireland to a major tournament for the first time in ten years
February 8 at 8:38 pm
Somalion says:
As my post indicates I clearly do!!!!
February 8 at 8:43 pm
LarryMurphy says:
Very very silly. Irish fan here..I really don’t understand that.
February 8 at 8:46 pm
Somalion says:
His tactics have worked (and we had a tremendous amount of luck with Russia) but the way he plays ball is not going to do much against the likes of Spain or Croatia (even Italy). He’s a very disinterested manager, doesn’t scout any players at any club level and just has a set play and that’s it. 0 flexibility, 0 imagination. I’d love Ireland to do very well but I can’t see it happening with him. If it does, I’ll gladly and willingly admit I’m wrong.
February 8 at 8:58 pm
LarryMurphy says:
I think the nation thinks Ireland are already doing very well with Trap in charge!! I think his tactics and way of playing football works..he’s only lost 8 out of 42 matches in charge and getting Ireland to their first major competition in 10 years? Bring on Spain and Russia..we’ve held out own against teams like Italy, Russia and Croatia with him in charge and I’m sure if players are good enough to be in the squad for the euros then they well be. Less of the negativity kid!!
February 8 at 9:03 pm
Fitzy says:
Larry Murphy?!?!?
February 8 at 9:04 pm
LarryMurphy says:
Yeah?
February 8 at 9:09 pm
Somalion says:
I’m not negative, his defensive record is outstanding. But our midfield could easily crumble here. And I actually think the nation is quite divided over whether or not he’s doing very well. He is depending on throwing bodies in front of the goal but our attacking play lacks any sense of danger. I’d much prefer to have him coaching defence and have someone else sorting our attack because we’re weak on that front. As I said, if we get through I’ll completely take it back.
February 8 at 9:11 pm
LarryMurphy says:
Ooooooh Trapattoni, he used to be Italian but he’s Irish now!!
February 8 at 9:16 pm
LarryMurphy says:
I totally see your point mate. I also think the midfield is a big worry..hopefully if young James McClean continues to play well he could be a big boost to the squad. Seeing Whelan and Andrews start in the middle for us is pretty depressing!
February 8 at 9:02 pm
DamianT says:
Without Trap Ireland would not have qualified , if you think otherwise then you are an idiot and should hook up with Eamonn Dunphy and maybe do a Mc Donalds advert together.
February 8 at 9:04 pm
LarryMurphy says:
hahahaha
February 8 at 9:10 pm
Somalion says:
Oh right I didn’t realise he was the only manager on the planet able to get us through. Thanks for clearing that up. Yeah, Dunphy definitely hasn’t a clue what he’s talking about. Good argument champ. At least Larry is giving good points.
February 8 at 8:38 pm
Thesteady says:
Who are you captaining this week lads?
I’m going Captain America
February 8 at 8:39 pm
Somalion says:
I’ll hmmm and haw over it then wind up going with RVP
February 8 at 8:39 pm
Pat Mustard says:
+1
February 8 at 8:42 pm
RASPUTIN says:
Because ur grav is 1 of my best evr moments
*Wayne Rooney spinning death bicycle love strike*
I will do as you x
February 8 at 8:43 pm
Thesteady says:
Haha
February 8 at 8:48 pm
Manamongst says:
RVP…he’s eating and the front three for them are sorted.
February 8 at 8:40 pm
LarryMurphy says:
Who to bench out of Sess,Silva,Dempsey,Bale,Oxlade-Chamberlain,Ba,Aguero,RVP?…thanks!
February 8 at 8:41 pm
sozopol says:
Probably Ox
February 8 at 8:41 pm
hvsauce says:
Tough one that – Ox or Ba
February 8 at 8:41 pm
sozopol says:
anyone think Dzeko a good play this week? As good as Aguero? Better than Ba?
Trying to plan my transfers…
February 8 at 8:42 pm
Mull says:
Moses will outscore Sigurdsson and McLean in the next 3 GW’s
February 8 at 8:43 pm
Thesteady says:
No he won’t…
February 8 at 8:44 pm
jkisthe1 says:
Moses will outscore erm…. someone somewhere at sometime, I’ll bet on Ferguson.
February 8 at 8:45 pm
Scouting for points says:
Errrr ok then!
February 8 at 8:43 pm
Schutang says:
anyone know how to figure out ryan taylor and enrique injuries?
February 8 at 8:46 pm
Scouting for points says:
Enrique is fine and will be back Saturday.
Taylor swollen ankle, likely to be rested this GW. Then Cabaye is back next week so he may become bench fodder. Imo.
February 8 at 8:43 pm
jkisthe1 says:
ok Valencia
Siggi done
Piss off Adel
Now do I put the c on Siggy or leave myself on Captain America?
February 8 at 8:45 pm
Thesteady says:
Captain America!
February 8 at 8:46 pm
ajay_kl says:
Did you my reply earlier JK? I was away.
Are you seriously considering throwing him the armband? I am too but doubt I will have the balls to do so.
February 8 at 8:46 pm
ajay_kl says:
*see my
February 8 at 8:49 pm
jkisthe1 says:
I got your reply, it;s why I went with Siggy. You advised me to get Ba in on wc and I didn’t listen and wanted to wait. Waiting has put him beyond what I’m prepared to pay (even though only 1 guy in my ML has him and he’s 250 behind me)) I have the VC on him atm Ajay, just not got the balls to take it off Clint at home to Stoke.
February 8 at 8:56 pm
ajay_kl says:
Dont worry about the 250pts, you should have those covered. I got no clue with my armband this week. Probably RVP or Aguero.
February 8 at 9:00 pm
jkisthe1 says:
am not worried, nothing in his team worries me except Ba and I intend cover that off with Dave.
February 8 at 9:01 pm
jkisthe1 says:
from your team I’d captain Bale or RvP
February 8 at 9:05 pm
ajay_kl says:
Not keen on a city player at AVL(A)? But yeah, if in doubt go for RVP.
February 8 at 8:44 pm
DRIZZY #THEBOSS #KINGOFFIFA says:
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February 8 at 8:49 pm
Somalion says:
Last time I open a link from you when my family are in the room