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SPORTING LIFE - Taarabt welcomes added pressure
Last Updated: July 12 2012, 7:38 BST
Adel Taarabt believes the increased competition at QPR will result in him and his team-mates raising their game next season.
The west Londoners only narrowly escaped an immediate return to the npower Championship last term, with only a point separating them from relegated Bolton.
QPR have been quick to improve their squad over the summer, with Park Ji-sung and Robert Green among the six signings made by Mark Hughes.
Taarabt, who signed a new contract at Loftus Road on Wednesday, has welcomed the additions and believes they will help motivate the squad.
"It is good because before we didn't have the big names and some people knew they were going to play all season," he said.
"Now we know we are bringing in players and if you don't play good then maybe you're going to lose your place in the starting XI.
"This is good, it puts on pressure to make you play well.
"With the signings we have made, hopefully we will not be fighting relegation again.
"We want to improve and we are going to do our best to get as good a place as we can."
Taarabt admits such changes played a major part in him signing a new deal.
The 23-year-old has long been linked with a move away from Loftus Road, but yesterday signed a three-year contract extension to keep him at the club until 2016.
Asked if he could have envisaged playing alongside the likes of Park when he first joined the club, Taarabt said: "No, not at all because when I signed we were in the Championship. I was not thinking of the Premier League.
"Even last year when we were there we were not thinking the club would have this ambition and sign players like Park Ji-sung, but the chairman has big ambitions.
"We have a great manager and they want to improve so that is why I have taken the decision to sign a new long-term contract with Queens Park Rangers."
As well as signing a new deal, Taarabt has been handed the number 10 jersey at QPR - worn previously by the likes of Stan Bowles, Rodney Marsh and Kevin Gallen.
The move, which will see the vacated number seven shirt worn by new signing Park, has been welcomed by the Morocco international.
"I am very proud to wear that shirt," he said. "I am very happy to have this number.
"There is a little bit of pressure but it is good pressure." Sporting Life
Adel Taarabt believes the increased competition at QPR will result in him and his team-mates raising their game next season.
The west Londoners only narrowly escaped an immediate return to the npower Championship last term, with only a point separating them from relegated Bolton.
QPR have been quick to improve their squad over the summer, with Park Ji-sung and Robert Green among the six signings made by Mark Hughes.
Taarabt, who signed a new contract at Loftus Road on Wednesday, has welcomed the additions and believes they will help motivate the squad.
"It is good because before we didn't have the big names and some people knew they were going to play all season," he said.
"Now we know we are bringing in players and if you don't play good then maybe you're going to lose your place in the starting XI.
"This is good, it puts on pressure to make you play well.
"With the signings we have made, hopefully we will not be fighting relegation again.
"We want to improve and we are going to do our best to get as good a place as we can."
Taarabt admits such changes played a major part in him signing a new deal.
The 23-year-old has long been linked with a move away from Loftus Road, but yesterday signed a three-year contract extension to keep him at the club until 2016.
Asked if he could have envisaged playing alongside the likes of Park when he first joined the club, Taarabt said: "No, not at all because when I signed we were in the Championship. I was not thinking of the Premier League.
"Even last year when we were there we were not thinking the club would have this ambition and sign players like Park Ji-sung, but the chairman has big ambitions.
"We have a great manager and they want to improve so that is why I have taken the decision to sign a new long-term contract with Queens Park Rangers."
As well as signing a new deal, Taarabt has been handed the number 10 jersey at QPR - worn previously by the likes of Stan Bowles, Rodney Marsh and Kevin Gallen.
The move, which will see the vacated number seven shirt worn by new signing Park, has been welcomed by the Morocco international.
"I am very proud to wear that shirt," he said. "I am very happy to have this number.
"There is a little bit of pressure but it is good pressure." Sporting Life
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Ben Kosky/London 24
Although Green was reserve to Joe Hart during England’s
recent Euro 2012 campaign, he has made just one appearance for the
national team since his infamous World Cup blunder against the USA two
years ago.
But Seaman, who broke into the England side as a Rangers player before enjoying a lengthy spell of success with Arsenal, sees no reason why the 32-year-old free transfer from West Ham cannot add to his 12 caps.
“It’s a great signing for QPR and I’m sure Rob will do well,” Seaman told london24.com. “I got my England appearances when I was at QPR through playing well and that’s what he needs to do.
“I’m surprised he’s moved from West Ham to QPR, if I’m truthful, but he obviously must feel it’s a step forward – he wants to play regularly and that’s what he will be doing.
“He’s a steady goalkeeper, he’s had his ups and downs and all keepers do that – it’s all about how you react to mistakes. Personally I thought Rob got treated terribly after his mistake in the World Cup.
“But that’s by the by now. It’s just about playing well, keeping mistakes to a minimum and continuing to improve and that’s what I think Rob’s going to do.”
During his time as England’s first choice keeper, Seaman had to fight off competition from several top-quality rivals including Chris Woods, Nigel Martyn and Tim Flowers.
By contrast, Jack Butland – who spent last season on loan at Cheltenham Town – was the third keeper in England’s Euro squad, but Seaman feels that Hart’s performances have raised the bar again for Green, Butland and other contenders.
“We’ve got a guy now who’s playing at the top level with Manchester City and we haven’t had an England number one doing that for some time,” said Seaman, who recently became part-time goalkeeping coach at Wembley FC.
“That meant the step up was a lot bigger. Now, in Joe Hart, we’ve got a guy who has just won the league and had a fantastic season, and I love watching him play.”
Should Green claim further international caps, he will become only the third QPR goalkeeper to represent England at full level after Phil Parkes and Seaman, who made his debut for his country in 1988.
Although he moved to Arsenal 18 months later – in what was then a record £1.3m fee for a goalkeeper – Seaman insists that silverware, rather than England prospects, was his sole motivation for leaving Loftus Road.
“The reason I left QPR was plain and simple – I wanted to win trophies and see how good I could get,” he explained. “At QPR I wasn’t getting that opportunity.
“I loved my time at QPR and it was a great learning curve for me because I had four great years there playing in the top division – although I can’t say I enjoyed the plastic pitch!
“But then Arsenal and Manchester United both came in for me. I had the opportunity to sign for either one of them, and you don’t turn clubs like that down.” London 24
But Seaman, who broke into the England side as a Rangers player before enjoying a lengthy spell of success with Arsenal, sees no reason why the 32-year-old free transfer from West Ham cannot add to his 12 caps.
“It’s a great signing for QPR and I’m sure Rob will do well,” Seaman told london24.com. “I got my England appearances when I was at QPR through playing well and that’s what he needs to do.
“I’m surprised he’s moved from West Ham to QPR, if I’m truthful, but he obviously must feel it’s a step forward – he wants to play regularly and that’s what he will be doing.
“He’s a steady goalkeeper, he’s had his ups and downs and all keepers do that – it’s all about how you react to mistakes. Personally I thought Rob got treated terribly after his mistake in the World Cup.
“But that’s by the by now. It’s just about playing well, keeping mistakes to a minimum and continuing to improve and that’s what I think Rob’s going to do.”
During his time as England’s first choice keeper, Seaman had to fight off competition from several top-quality rivals including Chris Woods, Nigel Martyn and Tim Flowers.
By contrast, Jack Butland – who spent last season on loan at Cheltenham Town – was the third keeper in England’s Euro squad, but Seaman feels that Hart’s performances have raised the bar again for Green, Butland and other contenders.
“We’ve got a guy now who’s playing at the top level with Manchester City and we haven’t had an England number one doing that for some time,” said Seaman, who recently became part-time goalkeeping coach at Wembley FC.
“That meant the step up was a lot bigger. Now, in Joe Hart, we’ve got a guy who has just won the league and had a fantastic season, and I love watching him play.”
Should Green claim further international caps, he will become only the third QPR goalkeeper to represent England at full level after Phil Parkes and Seaman, who made his debut for his country in 1988.
Although he moved to Arsenal 18 months later – in what was then a record £1.3m fee for a goalkeeper – Seaman insists that silverware, rather than England prospects, was his sole motivation for leaving Loftus Road.
“The reason I left QPR was plain and simple – I wanted to win trophies and see how good I could get,” he explained. “At QPR I wasn’t getting that opportunity.
“I loved my time at QPR and it was a great learning curve for me because I had four great years there playing in the top division – although I can’t say I enjoyed the plastic pitch!
“But then Arsenal and Manchester United both came in for me. I had the opportunity to sign for either one of them, and you don’t turn clubs like that down.” London 24
Yorkshire Post
Warnock hails Kenny as ‘one of best goalkeepers in the country’ after landing top summer target
Published on Thursday 12 July 2012 08:02
EBULLIENT Leeds United boss Neil Warnock has hailed the signing of goalkeeper Paddy Kenny as the best he will make in his time at Elland Road.
Kenny’s protracted move from Queens Park Rangers was finally completed yesterday in a deal worth around £500,000.
It sees him link up for a fourth time in his career with Warnock, who is looking to recruit another of his former players, ex-Sheffield United and Leeds striker Andy Gray.
Gray is a free agent after leaving Barnsley and Leeds’s boss is ready to hijack Bradford City’s bid to sign him by bringing him in as forward cover; his striking options are currently limited.
Halifax-born Kenny’s switch back to his Yorkshire roots sees him join the club he supported as a boy, and Warnock is delighted to have finally landed his chief summer target after pursuing him for several months.
Thrity-four-year-old Kenny has joined on a three-year-deal, and Leeds’s manager said: “I don’t think you can keep secrets at Leeds United. Somebody knows everything.
“We’ve worked very hard with this one. It’s taken some time to get over the line, but I think he’s the most important signing I’ll make while I’m at Leeds United. I rate him that highly, and I think the fans will see why.
“I didn’t think we’d be able to get him. There’s no way I would have let him go. I wouldn’t have swapped him for anybody they have on their books.
“I think he’s a great goalkeeper. He’s one of the best in the country, not just the Championship.
“We are delighted to get him. He’s a northern lad, he knows what a pull Leeds is and he knows all about it.
“We’ve had our moments over the years, but we respect each other and that’s why he has always been the main man I’ve wanted to sign.
“We’ve had to put others on hold, because I wanted to get this one over the line.”
Kenny, promoted twice to the Premier League under Warnock, with the Blades in 2005-06 and QPR in 2010-11, added: “He (Warnock) knows what he’ll get from me and I know what I’ll get from him, and as soon as I had the opportunity to come here I was delighted to take him up on it.
“His record at this level and for promotions speaks for itself, and with the players he’s looking to bring in and those he’ll get I’m sure we’ll be pushing up there.”
With United’s takeover understood to be close to completion – reports suggest the man heading a Middle Eastern consortium is lifelong Whites fan Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa – Warnock could be handed a boost in his bid to make serious progress on the transfer front shortly.
Bahrain-based Al-Khalifa was famously part of a consortium which failed to take control at Elland Road in 2003, but has kept abreast of developments at the club he has supported since 1970.
Warnock is keen to push through a number of deals, including signing Portsmouth pair Luke Varney and David Norris, and Leicester City full-back Lee Peltier.
According to sources in Leicester, Peltier’s move could finally be completed in the next few days, with Warnock keen to bolster his squad further before the club head to Cornwall for the start of their pre-season tour later this month.Warnock added: “We’re looking all over the place. Every area, we’re looking to bring other players in. I’ll move on to my next main target now and see if we can secure him over the next few days and the squad will take shape towards the kick-off. Yorkshire Post
”
RICHARD LANGLEY PROGRAMME NOTES
@IJTaylor81 Very pleased to confirm that @LANGERS1979 has agreed to write in the @OfficialQPR matchday programme next season. #QPR #Hoops
Warnock hails Kenny as ‘one of best goalkeepers in the country’ after landing top summer target
Published on Thursday 12 July 2012 08:02
EBULLIENT Leeds United boss Neil Warnock has hailed the signing of goalkeeper Paddy Kenny as the best he will make in his time at Elland Road.
Kenny’s protracted move from Queens Park Rangers was finally completed yesterday in a deal worth around £500,000.
It sees him link up for a fourth time in his career with Warnock, who is looking to recruit another of his former players, ex-Sheffield United and Leeds striker Andy Gray.
Gray is a free agent after leaving Barnsley and Leeds’s boss is ready to hijack Bradford City’s bid to sign him by bringing him in as forward cover; his striking options are currently limited.
Halifax-born Kenny’s switch back to his Yorkshire roots sees him join the club he supported as a boy, and Warnock is delighted to have finally landed his chief summer target after pursuing him for several months.
Thrity-four-year-old Kenny has joined on a three-year-deal, and Leeds’s manager said: “I don’t think you can keep secrets at Leeds United. Somebody knows everything.
“We’ve worked very hard with this one. It’s taken some time to get over the line, but I think he’s the most important signing I’ll make while I’m at Leeds United. I rate him that highly, and I think the fans will see why.
“I didn’t think we’d be able to get him. There’s no way I would have let him go. I wouldn’t have swapped him for anybody they have on their books.
“I think he’s a great goalkeeper. He’s one of the best in the country, not just the Championship.
“We are delighted to get him. He’s a northern lad, he knows what a pull Leeds is and he knows all about it.
“We’ve had our moments over the years, but we respect each other and that’s why he has always been the main man I’ve wanted to sign.
“We’ve had to put others on hold, because I wanted to get this one over the line.”
Kenny, promoted twice to the Premier League under Warnock, with the Blades in 2005-06 and QPR in 2010-11, added: “He (Warnock) knows what he’ll get from me and I know what I’ll get from him, and as soon as I had the opportunity to come here I was delighted to take him up on it.
“His record at this level and for promotions speaks for itself, and with the players he’s looking to bring in and those he’ll get I’m sure we’ll be pushing up there.”
With United’s takeover understood to be close to completion – reports suggest the man heading a Middle Eastern consortium is lifelong Whites fan Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa – Warnock could be handed a boost in his bid to make serious progress on the transfer front shortly.
Bahrain-based Al-Khalifa was famously part of a consortium which failed to take control at Elland Road in 2003, but has kept abreast of developments at the club he has supported since 1970.
Warnock is keen to push through a number of deals, including signing Portsmouth pair Luke Varney and David Norris, and Leicester City full-back Lee Peltier.
According to sources in Leicester, Peltier’s move could finally be completed in the next few days, with Warnock keen to bolster his squad further before the club head to Cornwall for the start of their pre-season tour later this month.Warnock added: “We’re looking all over the place. Every area, we’re looking to bring other players in. I’ll move on to my next main target now and see if we can secure him over the next few days and the squad will take shape towards the kick-off. Yorkshire Post
”
RICHARD LANGLEY PROGRAMME NOTES
@IJTaylor81 Very pleased to confirm that @LANGERS1979 has agreed to write in the @OfficialQPR matchday programme next season. #QPR #Hoops
