Joey Barton

Joey Barton has criticised team-mate Adel Taarabt for his behaviour on the pitch during QPR’s six-goal thrashing at Craven Cottage earlier this month. Taarabt was substituted after 46 minutes the match, much to his chagrin, and he left the stadium immediately to catch a bus home.

Known for his elaborate footwork, Taarabt has claimed 27 goals in 100 matches for QPR. He was the linchpin in the Londoners’ ascent to the Premier League, last season, but he has failed to impress in the top flight. People following the football betting odds will have been surprised by how poor he has looked.

QPR captain, Barton, claims that he received glowing recommendations of the North African when he arrived at the club.

“I came here and was told he was a genius, and I’m yet to see it,” he said.

The midfielder added that Taarabt had come up “massively short” during QPR’s brief Premier League campaign.

Barton suggested his failing may be down to not working hard enough or his tendency to sulk.

The Merseyside-born midfielder, who courts controversy on a semi-regular basis, said that he was “happy” to see the Moroccan upset, because “it shows he does care”.

Unfortunately, Barton’s comments may have made an already difficult situation even worse for the Hoops and people following the Premier League odds should remember this.

Despite enjoying cult status at Loftus Road Taarabt looks set to move on. On October 8, Taarabt voiced his intention to leave the London team in January for “financial reasons”.

However, given his recent performance in the league, it remains to be seen whether Taarabt’s most recent suitor, Paris Saint-Germain, retain any interest in the youngster.