Adel Taarabt
Is the ‘Championship Player of the Season’ an ordinary footballer that’s had an extraordinary season?
Adel Taarabt is no secret anymore. Once an unknown talent in a generally anonymous QPR side, his is now one of the best known names in Championship football. And, credit where credit’s due, he has performed consistently well throughout the season. He has played his part in some outstanding team performances from QPR this campaign, while in other matches his contribution has been entirely forgettable. To be frank, some could argue that Adel Taarabt has, over the past 9 months, had a great season, for a pretty good footballer, in an average league.
For a midfield player, whether he be attacking or otherwise, 15 goals in one year is a lot. Take into account though, that only 3 of these 15 have come away from Loftus Road, and a different picture is painted, especially when these 3 goals came against Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace and Sheffield United, teams in 18th, 21st and 22nd place respectively. Who knows why this may be? Perhaps, it has something to do with an overwhelming atmosphere created, one that Taarabt struggles to cope with. Fans of Championship sides across the country recognise the Moroccan as QPR’s key threat – supply him with intimidation, as opposed to encouragement, and he may crumble under the hostility.
A closer look at Taarabt’s goals this season reveals he has failed to score against Norwich, Leeds and Nottingham Forest at all in this campaign. A suggestion that he struggles against the division’s better sides creeps darkly into play here. Forest may be renowned for their defending, but both Leeds and Norwich are most definitely not. Does QPR’s talisman hide away in the bigger games? He spent his afternoon at Norwich in the figurative pockets of all 4 City defenders, ending up frustrated, booked, and desperately struggling for ideas. I mustn’t end this paragraph before mentioning his goals, at home, against Swansea, Cardiff, Burnley and Reading, something for the pro – Taarabt mob to launch right back at me. I’ll add only that 27 of Swansea’s 36 goals against have been conceded away from home, and that Cardiff’s 46 goals conceded in the league is hardly prolific.
There is, however, no arguing with Taarabt’s 15 assists this season, and to be involved in 30 goals in 38 league games is truly special. The player’s age is on his side too. At just 21, Taarabt has a long way to go, and his breakthrough season has been a good one. And these are just stats I’m playing with here – his performances, on the whole, have been very promising, but there are exceptions. As pointed out above, he of course has his faults. Reading through Internet blogs on the subject, claims that the Moroccan is world class are absurd, despite what the player himself may believe. For every astonishing piece of magic Taarabt has conjured up this season, there is a misplaced pass to match, and the player is far from the finished article. Attitude has spoiled many a promising footballer, and Taarabt’s is poor. Hitting out at former club Tottenham after winning the aforementioned award on Sunday smacks of arrogance, and the decision to let the Moroccan go by Spurs may not have cost the club as many millions as people would like to believe.
So, congratulations are in order to the Championship’s newest star. As Taarabt is waved off into the sunset by England’s Second tier, let us hope he has more success than, say Sylvain Ebanks-Blake, who, out to prove his old club, Manchester United, wrong (sound familiar), after winning the 2009 ‘Championship Player of the Year Award’ has scored enough goals to just about keep my second hand busy while I count them on my fingers. Or Michael Chopra, so prolific in the Championship, yet whom never quite made it in the Premier League. Or Rob Earnshaw. Or Darren Huckerby. The list goes on. And on. And on.
So keep an eye out for Adel Taarabt in the Premier League next season, and notice just how well he does against the likes of Michael Dawson, Phil Jagielka, Rio Ferdinand and co. But, if they’re there, keep an eye out for the 2 unlucky runners-up to Taarabt, that were forgotten after his aforementioned award win. Scott Sinclair and Grant Holt do not sulk. They do not whinge, and they do not moan. Sinclair, with his blaring pace, brilliant intelligence and awareness, will, if not next year, be tearing up the Premier League at some point, even if Adel Taarabt never does. And Grant Holt, who may be running out of time, will get his chance, and will use the head on his shoulders to show his leadership, incredible presence in the box and finishing (check out his goal against Burnley at Turf Moor). And yes, like Beckford and Dorrans and Victor Moses, they may, or they may not, flop. But they represent the hard working ethic of the Championship. And, no matter what bench Adel Taarabt may be warming in five years time, be it Bolton’s or Blackburn’s or Birmingham’s, I hope he remembers the day he won this award. He did deserve it, after all, but it would not surprise me if it were to be the only one he ever receiv
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