November
02

The Watchlist – Adel Taarabt

Filed under: The Watchlist - Posted by: stilicho

As QPR basked in the sunshine of their deliverance and waves of summer signings lapped the Loftus Road shore, a long-levitating penny seems to have dropped in the mind of Adel Taarabt – that to establish himself in the Premier League, he must shake off his reputation as a luxury player.

His virtue, or rather virtuosity, was well known to Fantasy managers following his 19 goals and 16 assists in QPR’s 2010/11 promotion push, but it quickly transpired that the mercurial Moroccan was bereft of his manager’s trust in the unforgiving air of the top flight. Frequently benched, occasionally omitted from the squad entirely, a reluctance to degrade his art to a trade tried the patience of his embattled boss.

Handed a fresh start and a new three-year contract, Taarabt was conspicuous in the starting 11 for QPR’s opening day pasting at the hands of Swansea, but Mark Hughes’ explanations for his subsequent banishment carried a decidedly familiar tune. Exiled throughout September, Taarabt came off the bench to score against West Ham on October 1 and notched again the following week at the Hawthorns. Playing every minute since, including an excursion to The Emirates in which he recorded twice as many tackles as his nearest midfield competitor, his all-round displays seem to be finally cementing him a starting berth.

With still no wins to his credit and little to show for his summer expenditure, the vultures are starting to circle for Sparky – and his future may well depend on the outcome of the next three games (RGD, stk, SOT). Hosting two of the Premier League’s most porous defences in the next three, attacking returns should be on the cards for the twinkle-toed Taarabt; and whilst Esteban Granero has usurped a portion of the set-piece patrimony, the Moroccan magician is still assured a substantial share. Importantly, with direct attempts his particular penchant, he may have the best chance of breaching the Britannia barricades come Gameweek 11.

In terms of competition for investment, the aforementioned Granero offers assured starts and a share of set pieces at 5.5 in FPL and 6.5 in Sky Sports, and Junior Hoilett offers good open play threat with less security of game time at 5.8 (7.1 in Sky Sports and listed as a forward). Up top, Bobby Zamora has a consistency of starts at 6.4 in FPL and a hefty 8.2 in Sky Sports, but with forward line spots ever at a premium and no goals in four, the smart money looks to be in midfield. Tipping the scales at 5.5 in FPL and 5.2 in the Sky Sports game, we’re backing Taarabt to offer the most bang for your buck from the QPR ranks over the weeks to come.

About The Author

“I never make predictions and I never will”

stilicho

> See all posts by this author

  1. Bowstring the Trout
    • Reputation Level: Scout
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member

    Jesus, maybe we shouldn't joke in future about heads falling off...

    We brought this on ourselves.

    http://cahill95ta.home.comcast.net/~cahill95ta/stuff/picard_shame.gif

    1. isacki: lols = hc²
      • Reputation Level: Scout
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member

      He's actually dead as well. We're joking about it, but he's actually dead.

      1. ColeHole
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        The Hammy problem was just the last involuntary twitch of the corpse.

        1. isacki: lols = hc²
          • Reputation Level: Scout
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member

          lol, it's a very stiff hammy.

          1. Dark Mata
            • Reputation Level: Scout

            Rigor Matas

            1. isacki: lols = hc²
              • Reputation Level: Scout
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member

              Oh well, at least he died in peace, he was given the Luiz Rites.

  2. GARETH BALE WELCOME TO MANC…
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    whats the deal with Mata? bench him?..

    1. ScoutCast not pearls before…
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      I would still start him. I'd assume he'd start or not be risked at all.

  3. kingarthur
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Don't know if this has been asked recently, but what anyone hazard a guess at the likely Man City front line, bearing in mind they play big Champs League game Tues evening?

    1. Bowstring the Trout
      • Reputation Level: Scout
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member

      I would guess

      ------- Yaya -- Garcia/Barry -------

      Milner ---- Tevez ------ Nasri

      ------------ Balotelli ------------

    2. Round and Round
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Tevez + Dzeko

      1. kingarthur
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        Damn, I still have Aguero - Still keep thinking he will reproduce his form from last year, but he never seems to get a regular spot anymore !
        Could Tevez be rested this week, as he seems to be the main man at City now.

  4. SABG - Community Mismanager
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    so and Berba looking OK but now Mata a doubt?

    still means Sterling comes off the bench. no change there. Carry On!

  5. Stinkfly
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Got 2fts, 0.0m in the bank, was all set to go:

    Wilson ---> Cameron
    Dyer -----> Sterling/Taarabt

    Seems kind of stupid now to use one of the transfers on a fit player (Dyer) when I've also got Cuellar, Demel, Mata and Ba injured.

    Question is, what to do instead? Demel or Cuellar ------> to a fit, playing defender and at least get 11 men out? Don't want to shift Mata or Ba, even if they miss this week.

    1. The Kuqi Monster
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      I'd shift wilson and demel

  6. bantamdave
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    What chance RVP going up to £13.5m tonight??

    1. ColeHole
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      unlikely.

  7. The Parmtree - "It…
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Di Mateo is a massive !"£$%^&*()(*&^%$£"$%^&^%$£$%^&%$£$%^&^%$£$%^&

    1. Daniel_tsl
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      He's a massive equation?

    3. Impressive Tackle
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Why's that?

      1. The Parmtree - "It…
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        He played Mata in a pointless cup tie :evil:

        1. Dark Mata
          • Reputation Level: Scout

          Why did he play Mata for 120 minutes, his most inform player - madness.......

        2. little_wizard123
          • Reputation Level: Scout

          He will still start.

          1. lightspeed
            • Reputation Level: Scout

            Not looking likely at all

            It's was doubtful anyone following 120 mins mid week. Now he's carrying an injury I'd say his chances are extremely low.

            I guess that you brought him in like me lol

    4. Timon
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      is it olchiki that i cant understand?

  8. goonerbyron
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Ok guys, after the Demba comment from Pardew should I….

    A – Ship Wilson for Cameron, even though he’ll be 1st sub to cover Cuellar not playing. Mertesacker would be my 1st sub defender in if I don’t make this change.

    B – Ship Podolski to Ba, hoping Ba will play but if not have Kebe playing where I could have had Podolski

    C – Keep Wilson and Podolski and make both changes next week

    1. Round and Round
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      A

    2. Kosteevo
      • Reputation Level: Scout
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member

      I would go B purely as i think Ba and/or Kebe will have a better week than Pod. A can be done anytime (and with Wilkinson if somehow Cameron rises).

  9. Impressive Tackle
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    So who brought in Mata this week?

    I feel a Nelson Muntz haha coming on.

    1. Bowstring the Trout
      • Reputation Level: Scout
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member

      Ironically, I have Nelsen (Kuntz) coming on for me now in place of Mata

    2. ColeHole
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      I have both and was about to sell Hazah. Finally, everything's coming up ColeHole.

    3. lightspeed
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Me,

      Very tempted to now spend points to get him out. Have demel, Wilson, ba and saylor as doubts too.

  10. iain_90
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Rival has Mata, Gibbs, Cuellar and Ba.

    And he'll still probably outscore me.

  11. meltedman
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    How's this looking?

    Begovic (Jaaskelainen)
    Baines Bosingwa Clark (Clyne Jenkinson)
    Hazard(c) Bale(vc) Michu Cazorla (Nolan)
    Berbatov Ba Jelavic

    0 FT, 1.8 in Bank.

    I think i'm gonna roll with this team for this week, and over the next few weeks do Jenkinson/Clark --> Sagna/Cuellar. Sound like a good plan? What would others be doing?

  12. GARETH BALE WELCOME TO MANC…
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    - NEW POST -

  13. The One and Only (Relegated…
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    I'm racking my brain as to what to do for my two FTs...

    Foster (McCarthy)
    Ivanovic - Saylor - Williams (McCartney, Clyne)
    Michu - Dempsey - Fellaini - Hazard - Nolan
    RVP - Tevez (Long)

    I'm thinking that even though I would love to make a change or two to my midfield, I need to address my defense.
    Saylor > Cameron and Williams > Baird make sense? Trying to free up cash but still get defenders that will play.

  14. Kerrazy
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    So will we receive any confirmed news that he's out rather than hes a doubt?

    1. lightspeed
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Mata?

      If so, it looks highly likely that he is out.

  15. Fantasy-er
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    So I use my free transfer on Mata early, and get ****ed for it.

    And just to rub salt into my wounds, I'm 0.1 short of being able to afford a straight Mata > Hazard swap.

    FPL why do you hate me?

  16. Everything's Coming Up…
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    2 free transfers

    I'm thinking

    Bale to Mata (Chelsea are on fire)

    and

    RVP to Ba (He can't stop scoring for Newcastle)

    Possible 4 point hit as well to swap Baines to Cuellar as Sunderland look amazing at home

    Thoughts?

    1. Fantasy-er
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      3 VERY, VERY good shouts.

    2. Magerost
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Mata a big doubt with a hamstring and Ba also a doubt.

    3. GordonGekko
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      If that's an injury joke, good one, man. ;)

  17. Natster | The Shuffling
    • Reputation Level: Scout
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member

    So.. Still have problem with DF. Attacking could be short too.. :(

    Berbatov .. fit to play
    ==
    Ba .. wait for AP to think tomorrow
    Mata .. very doubtful
    ==
    Jenkinson .. should be benched according to Cazorla's post
    Demel .. injured
    Wilson .. injured

  18. isacki: lols = hc²
    • Reputation Level: Scout
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member

    Bringing in Mata for his goal last GW has either worked out well or badly depending on how you look at it. SO tempting to do Mata > Oscar this week, but such a bad idea.

  19. neil
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    so many people confidnt abt rvp!!!

    anyone feeling scared???that he might disappoint us big time???

    1. isacki: lols = hc²
      • Reputation Level: Scout
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member

      If he disappoints us big time, he will make me very happy. I'm a Gooner.

    2. thetinkerman
      • Reputation Level: Club Scout
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights

      Na, (c) Bale ;-)

  20. 5678
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Yo, what was said about Mata? Source?

    1. Dark Mata
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Tomata Source

    2. Dark Mata
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Not read but think he has a hamstring pull

      1. 5678
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        Thank you.

    4. McTheKnife
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      RDM shoudl apologise for playing him and so many other 1st teamers for 120mins in a worthless cup match

  21. little_wizard123
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Did Cazorla to Mata but now tempted to do Mata to Bale as I had 2 FTs. Eurgh.

  22. FC1999
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    What's the Mata everyone?

  23. Kings of Lyon
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Attacking Midfield Threats -

    http://members.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/my-stats-tables/view/717/

    There a probably a million tables like it but this one is mine ....

    1. Kings of Lyon
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Please note they are not 'Mid Priced'

  24. paulassetnicholson
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    If anyone has any Fantasy League questions or needs help with their team, leave your questions here.
    Only comments/questions submitted before 10pm Friday will be answered.
    I will give my honest opinion and a detailed answer.

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Scout Picks

Team of the Season 2012/13

  • Jääskeläinen
  • Baines
  • Vertonghen
  • Zabaleta
  • Davies
  • Walcott
  • Mata
  • Michu
  • Bale
  • Suárez
  • van Persie
  • Evra
  • Cazorla
  • Benteke

Comments

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  • neil says:

    Has anyone found a sensible way to fit RVP, AGUERO, BALE and HAZARD in their team? »

  • megatron x says:

    dang you utube wiv yo arbitrary recommendations. tribe called quest or fleetwood mac? not really … »

  • Berbagod says:

    No problem man, but you're welcome to contribute to any part of the document if you come acr… »

  • megatron x says:

    Socialize, get down, let your soul lead the way Shake it now, go ladies, it's a livin' … »

  • In Like Flynn says:

    Nice to know I still qualify for something. ;) »

  • In Like Flynn says:

    I got yours Berbagod, nice ,straightforward. Many Thanks. »

  • In Like Flynn says:

    Nice. »

  • Berbagod says:

    Highly doubt the "every six year old" bit though. FIxture tickers are nice, but only t… »

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    i think that anyone who gives FPL a moment's thought pre- price release is beyond earthly a… »

  • Champ - Every little thing is gonna be alright says:

    +1 »

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Next Six Ticker

The Watchlist

Goalkeepers

Player Club Factors
No Change Hart MCI B, Vs
Up Cech CHE B, Vs
Up Robles WIG C, Vs, £
No Change Lloris TOT C, Vs
No Change Foster WBA C, Vs
No Change Vorm SWA C, Vs
No Change Mignolet SUN B, Vs
No Change De Gea MUN A
Up Boruc SOT B, Vs, £
No Change Jääskeläinen WHM A
No Change Begovic STO C
No Change Howard EVE A

Defenders

Player Club Factors
No Change Kompany MCI B, Vs, Rest
No Change Vertonghen TOT A, Vs, Rest
Up Luiz CHE A, Vs, Rest
No Change Baines EVE A
Up Boyce WIG C, Vs, OoP
Down Bassong NOR B, Vs
Up McAuley WBA C, Vs
Down Johnson LIV B
Up Jones MUN A
No Change Sagna ARS B
Up Huth STO C
No Change Cuéllar SUN B, Vs, £
No Change Rangel SWA C, Vs
Up Clyne SOT B, Vs, £

Midfielders

Player Club Factors
Up Bale TOT A, Vs
No Change Mata CHE C, Vs, Rest
Up Walcott ARS C, OoP
Up Hazard CHE B, Vs, Rest, Inj
Up Maloney WIG B, Vs, £
No Change Y Touré MCI B, Vs
No Change Silva MCI B, Vs, Inj
No Change Fellaini EVE C
No Change Coutinho LIV B
Up Morrison WBA C, Vs
Down Cazorla ARS C
No Change Snodgrass NOR B
Up Kagawa MUN B, Rest
Up Walters STO B
Down Lallana SOT C, Vs
Down Sissoko NEW C

Forwards

Player Club Factors
Up Tevez MCI A, Vs, Rest
Up Koné WIG B, Vs, £
Down van Persie MUN A, Vs
Up Sturridge LIV B
Up Lukaku WBA B, Vs, Rest
Up Benteke AVL A
Down Aguero MCI B, Vs, Inj
Up Rodriguez SOT A, Vs, £
Up Defoe TOT B, Vs, Rest
Down Lambert SOT C, Vs
Down Rooney MUN C
Up Carroll WHM A, VsX
Up Ba CHE C, Vs, Rest
Down Berbatov FUL C
Up Cissé NEW B
Down Remy QPR B

Selection Factors

A, B, C Current Form
Vs Favourable Fixtures
VsX Unfavourable Fixtures
Rest Rotation Risk
Inj Injured/Returning from Injury
OoP Out of Position
£ Potential Bargain
Sus Suspended/Near Suspension

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