Mark Hughes - really impressed with Taarabt

Hughes said:
"I was really impressed with Adel. He's only had one light training session with the group since his return, but he took on board what we said to him, in terms of what we needed from him and he was fantastic.
His defensive work, which apparently hasn't been the greatest in the past, was thoroughly impressive - I didn't see any problems with that side to his game at all.
His effort and his application, along with his ability - which he showed on numerous occasions - was outstanding.
I just thought he took on the responsibilities we asked of him.
He was excellent individually and he helped out his team mates - he stepped up to the plate and that will encourage him and give him the confidence that he can affect Premier League games at this level.
We'll get the best out of him and he'll have a real impact until the end of the season. I've got no doubt his ability will be a factor in the games we have ahead of us."

Well!! Could it be that our Adel has seen the light at last?
I know Brix for one questions whether Adel is trying hard for the team or for himself, but I would argue that, as he's here at least till the end of the season, it really doesn't matter. Most outstanding players at a club our size will have an eye on a move to a bigger club, so I don't think he could be criticised for that anyway.
What he certainly could be criticised for in the past was his attitude - well, maybe at last he's seen the light!!?
Oh and I wonder how pissed off Barton is about Hughes's comments?

 

Maybe, just maybe AT had issues with Neil Warnock after Joey Barton came in and was made captain.
I am sure this would have put his nose out of joint (given the free role last season) and his performances suffered as a consequence, maybe it was intentional by him, his way of making a statement to NW.

Now NW has left the building he is prepared to put in his shift again as he needs to prove himself to the new boss.

I might be well wide of the mark, but there could be an element of truth in the above.

 

I think you're spot on about the Barton issue and the captaincy etc. Buying Barton was Warnock's biggest mistake imo.

 

He looked fantastic and quite right that Hughes said so. Lets hope it continues or even improves under Hughes...and if he is just playing to catch the attention of another club that will be sad when/if he goes, but I for one just want to enjoy watching him play for us until any move takes place.

 

Adel was playing well the last few games under NW before he went off to Africa. If there were problems in the middle of the autumn they seem to have been cleared away before Christmas.

 

Is it possible he, and other team members, new about NW getting the boot prior to NW knowing? Based on snippets I have read and heard I wouldn't be surprised.

 

Warnock probably couldn't believe his luck when the Goons left, Amit came back and TF took over with a promise of instant investment. At the time I'm sure Barton looked like a good deal despite breaking out pay structure and the disruption to the dressing room that came with him. Ironic that it was Barton who may have had more than a hand in Warnock's departure.

Adel looked back to his form from last season and I reckon if he'd have had Cisse to pass to and had been given the ball himself a bit more we would have humped Wolves. As it turned out he was left stranded for a large part of the game and only when he took things by the scruff of the neck on his own that we looked like getting back into it. Sparky should do the decent and obvious thing and start working on tactics and team set up that brings Adel into play more often. If this means dropping the likes of Barton in favour of Diakite (when he arrives) then so be it.

 

totally agree mom & looked interested in playing for team at last but would still play him behind zamora & a.n other.

 

That is where he played - when we had the ball. He then reverted back to left side of midfield when we lost the ball. It's hard to have him genuinely "in the hole" behind 2 forwards in a 4-4-2, which is what MH prefers.

 

but with hughes suggesting he would play him up front with zamora i don't think that would work.

 

He worked harder than Ive seen him before, it obvious hes been told to drift when we have the ball and get back to lw when we lose it so we have 2 banks of 4.

He might be starting to grow up now if hes realised he has to take on a defensive responsibility.

 

Col, you must be grinning from ear to ear with this article.

 

To be honest mate, I didn't post it to gloat in any way. I have always agreed that Adel needed to sort out his attitude and I think he may have turned the corner.

 

Yeah, I'm not convinced playing Adel as the 2nd striker is his best position...certainly not in a 4-4-2. Maybe Hughes will go more like 4-2-3-1 while Cisse is absent....like this:
------------------Kenny---------------
Onouha -- Ferdy -- Gabby/Hall -- Taiwo
------------ Barton ----Derry----------
SWP-----------Taarabt----------Traore
------------Zamora-------------------
4-2-3-1 when they have the ball...........4-4-1-1 when we have it.

 

Fair point on the bold bit above Col. Maybe I'm being a bit too idealistic when money and glory has replaced club loyalty and culture with generations of mercenary players.

As far as Adel seeing the light is concerned, one thing's for sure. He's been locked into needing to adapt to the premiership quick pass and move requirements this season. He showed a willingness to comply with this at every opportunity he's had so far - barring Tottenham where his confidence hit rock bottom (and probably more to do with the need to prove them wrong about him on a day when they were on fire).

What changed against Wolves was Taarbs' sudden realisation midway through the second half, that only he had the weapons to make a difference. The ball was finally in his court and he went for it big time - knowing that for once he wouldn't be criticised for adding his natural flair and audacity to those prem disciplines learned. And didn't it pay off handsomely? What a confidence boosting spectacle!!

Could be that Cisse's foolhardiness has returned a prem star in Taarabt. He's certainly set his stall out for the rest of the season.

As for the Barton envy thing, can't see it myself. Unlike Adel in the past, Joey's no one man team - hasn't got the credentials. Needs good players around him and Taarabt, Cisse, Zamora, Onouha and Ferdinand meet the criteria.

As I said on another thread, need to be careful not to expect too much from Diakite though. None of us have seen him play yet - in fact he hasn't played that many pro games and Nancy are hardly a school of excellence. Could be an embyonic Veira but can't depend on it imo.

 

Spot on Brix. The only thing I'd add to your description of Adel is his work rate. He really worked back well on Saturday and he obviously had been told to do just that when we lost the ball. Hopefully this is the catalyst for him to really kick on this season. If he does, I believe it will be enough to keep us up. Lastly....I really hope people don't get on his back when he doesn't turn it on. It's bound to happen, especially away from home.
You're right about Diakite being an unknown, but we are crying out for a DM, only having Derry in that position and with Faurlin out. Hopefully he'll be good enough to fill that void.

 

Great that Hughes has made these comments publicly. Hopefully it will keep Taarabt sweet.

 

No Maybe's about it ... If you watched any of the French interviews then everyone would see that Barton ****ed over Adel via Warnock in Adel's view Barton then went on to get rid of Warnock himself ... Barton is a major disruption here and I am sure it will all come out later .. Its in the past and guess what Adel Taarabt is still a very fine footballer and the player that will keep us up ... Out of ten?: The ball he played into Cisse ... there are few in the league that can see and do that

 

And so he should be, Adel will get better as the season goes on.

 

i am really pleased that he seems to be back to his best, wants to play well and impress the new manager. Quite frankly I thought that he would be sold, demanding a move. However with none of the big teams in Europe making a play for him the only thing he could do is come back, work hard and try again in the summer. Hopefully he keeps playing well and decides to stay.

I would pick up on one thing Hughes said. "He only had one light training session ...." I hope Adel doesn't think that training sessions are always like that! If he starts pulling his weight in all the training sessions (something we know he hasn't done in the past) then the future looks really great for him ... and hopefully for us.