Adel's about turn

By Ben Kosky

ADEL Taarabt admits he considered walking out on QPR after a spat with the Loftus Road crowd at the end of last month.

The Moroccan playmaker was booed by a section of supporters after shooting at goal instead of passing to a team-mate in a better position during Rangers' 5-2 win over Barnsley.

But Taarabt was talked out of trying to cancel his season-long loan from Tottenham, made his peace with the fans and is back in favour after his starring role in last weekend's annihilation of Preston North End.

"I was ill, so I was away for a couple of weeks and when I came back I was on the bench," he recalled.

"When I came on, I tried to shoot and the fans wanted me to pass, but the game was already over so I didn't understand why they did this.

"After the game I said I would never come back here but the chairman [sporting director Gianni Paladini] said 'relax'. They came and said 'sorry', I said 'OK' and I came back and showed them what I can do."

Taarabt certainly underlined his credentials with a stunning opening goal against the Lilywhites, bringing the ball from halfway and beating several players before curling it into the far corner.

"He has that ability in spadefuls - he's a genius, to be honest," declared QPR boss Jim Magilton. "We've given him more responsibility and he seems to be taking it in his stride."

And, while the 20-year-old believes that result can be the springboard for a concerted push towards promotion, he is non-committal when asked if he would consider a permanent switch to QPR next year.

"I don't think we'll speak about this yet - I have three years left at Tottenham," said Taarabt. "I came here because the club have a lot of quality players. Since I came here I think this was the best performance at home.

"If we play like we showed we have a chance to go to the Premier League and that's why I'm here.