Taarabt: Discipline record has cost us

28 March 2012 15:46

Adel Taarabt thinks QPR would not be in the relegation zone if they had not thrown away points this season because of their poor disciplinary record.

QPR are in serious danger of being relegated to the npower Championship just 12 months after their return to the top flight, and with eight incredibly tough fixtures to play, Rangers sit 18th in the Barclays Premier League, one place and one point from safety.

Their predicament can partly be explained by their poor disciplinary record, which shows they have picked up six red cards and 43 yellows this season. Taarabt told QPR's official website: "I think we have performed at home but we've lost so many points because of red cards."

He added: "We've lost so many games, like Norwich and Wolves. We should have won these games, but with 10 men it is difficult."

Taarabt, who is back in the team after falling out of favour under previous manager Neil Warnock, knows the odds are against his club surviving the drop. Rangers will also have to do without star striker Djibril Cisse for the next four matches after he was sent off against Sunderland.

Rangers will have to be at their best to overcome Arsenal at Loftus Road on Saturday - Arsene Wenger's team have won their last seven league games - but Taarabt was encouraged to see his team topple Liverpool at home last week and is hopeful of another upset this weekend.

"It's going to be difficult but we have to give the fans another big performance," the Moroccan said. "I feel better when we play at Loftus Road than I do when we play away.

"I feel the fans are really behind me. When we played against Liverpool they were fantastic - with me and the team as well.

"We need them, that's for sure, and I hope we can stay in this league. It's a difficult run-in, but every time we play a big club we perform.

"Hopefully we can do the same again (in the run-in). It is very important for us that we take three points on Saturday."

Source: PA