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- Four Year Flashback: Witney United Blast QPR
- QPR vs MK Dons Reserves Match: QPR (Apparently) Lost 1-0
- Two Year Flashback: QPR Statement re Sousa (and other Depatures) and Great QPR Comeback
- Police hunt four men after violence at Millwall's match with QPR
- Flashback to the Faurlin Signing
- Birthday for Shabbaz Baidoo
- Arsenal Takeover and How to Pay For It
- Liverpool's Second Biggest Owner? The New York Times!
Dave McIntyre on Chimbonda/QPR - Dave McIntyre Blog - Taking it on the Chim
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So, Pascal Chimbonda’s used Twitter to spill the beans – he’s quickly become surplus to requirements at QPR.
In fact, he fell out of favour even quicker than his tweet on Tuesday suggested.
As early as the end of February – only weeks after his move from Blackburn – I was told Chimbonda had managed to get on the wrong side of Neil Warnock, and was already close to being finished at Rangers.
The final straw may have been the player’s performance as a second-half substitute against Sc**thorpe, but the dye was cast before then.
This was a frustrating one for me. Because I don’t know Chimbonda, in order to stand the story up back in early March I first needed to speak to Warnock, but for various reasons wasn’t able to at the time.
When I did get to speak to him, it was face-to-face at the training ground, when a couple of other reporters were also present.
I broached the issue, but Warnock was having none of it. He’s an experienced manager who knows how to deal with these things and likes to keep them in-house.
The man is no fun. I’ve told him I rely on getting stories like this out there, but he doesn’t seem to care. Warnock’s priority always seems to be the club and his players. People like that have no place in football, in my view.
Anyway, his responses to me were then used for an article by Yann Tear in the Gazette, in which Warnock insisted there was no problem with Chimbonda, which made it difficult for me to develop the story.
But it was obvious Chimbonda would not be retained at the end of the season, when his short-term contract is due to expire.
And a short-term signing is all he was ever likely to be.
Even if he had endeared himself to Warnock and made a bigger contribution in the final months of the season, at the end of it I fully expected him to get no more than polite thanks and best wishes for the future.
Other managers have had problems with Chimbonda, which meant offering a longer-term deal would have been risky.
But his ability cannot be questioned, and as defensive cover for the all-important run-in, it was probably worth taking him.
Credit is due to Bradley Orr. Warnock considered starting with Chimbonda soon after his arrival but the decision not to proved to be the right one, because Orr has really stepped up to the plate in recent weeks.
Had the decision gone against him, I suspect Orr’s reaction to being left out would have been better than Chimbonda’s has been.
Orr has shown a great attitude this season, which is partly why he’s preparing to celebrate promotion while Chimbonda’s looking for a new club. Dave McIntyre Blog
- QPR to Pay More for Jamie Mackie
This is Devon - Plymouth Argyle will get six-figure sum if QPR are promoted this season
MACKIE CASH TO BOOST PILGRIMS
PLYMOUTH Argyle will receive a six-figure sum should Queens Park Rangers, as expected, be promoted to the Premier League this season.
The Pilgrims sold striker Jamie Mackie, their eight-goal top scorer in 2009/10, to the west London club last summer.
The transfer fee was not disclosed, but The Herald has learned it was £400,000, with a further £150,000 payable should QPR be promoted.
However, 20 per cent of that – £30,000 – would have to be passed on to Exeter City, from whom Argyle signed Mackie in January 2008.
- QPR, under the management of former Pilgrims' boss Neil Warnock, are currently top of the Championship and poised for a return to the top flight of English football for the first time since 1996. Mackie (pictured right) has not played for them since the start of January, after suffering a badly broken leg in their FA Cup third round tie at Blackburn Rovers.
Prior to that, he had been in fine form for Rangers.
Mackie scored nine goals in 25 Championship appearances for QPR, and was also called into the Scotland squad for the first time.
He played three games for Scotland, and netted once in a 3-0 victory over the Faroe Islands in a Euro 2012 qualifier, which was played in Aberdeen in November...." This is Devon
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Returning Ramage targets new QPR deal
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PETER Ramage is determined to earn a new contract at QPR after making his comeback from a seven-month injury nightmare this week.
The Rangers defender, who suffered a torn cruciate ligament in September, finally returned to action with a half-hour run-out in Tuesday’s training ground friendly, a 1-0 defeat against MK Dons.
Now the former Newcastle player is desperate for further opportunities to prove his worth before the end of the season, when his Loftus Road contract is due to expire.
“I haven’t yet sat down with anyone at the club to discuss the situation, but I’d love to stay,” Ramage told the Times. “It’s been a rocky three years but I’ve loved every minute of it and my family’s really settled down here.
“Getting the injury in the last year of my contract was sod’s law, but now at least I can throw my hat in the ring and let the manager know I’m available, then obviously it’s up to him whether I’m involved or not.
“Of course there are more important considerations for the club – it’s all about the lads getting the points they need to be promoted. I’ll be shouting it from the rooftops, though – it’s important for me to be fit for selection.
“I’ve been trying to stay involved, going to the first-team games and doing as much as I can off the pitch as well. Now all I can do is try to impress and do everything I can to make sure I’m still at QPR next season.”
The 27-year-old Geordie left his hometown club to sign for the Rs on a free transfer in 2008, but his fortunes fluctuated under a succession of managers.
Some excellent displays in central defence at the end of last season seemed to have caught Warnock’s eye, but a red card against his former club meant Ramage was suspended for the start of the current campaign and the game against Middlesbrough, in which he sustained the cruciate ligament injury, was only his second substitute appearance.
Initial reports suggested that the injury would rule him out for the entire season, but the player refused to accept that diagnosis.
“I’ve been feeling strong for the last few weeks and it was great to get out there and play,” added Ramage. “Hopefully I’ve got the monkey off my back now and, touch wood, that’s the end of the problem.
“I was always determined to at least get back to training before the end of the season and, if a game came along, I wanted to make sure I could be involved.
“I think we’re going to try and get another training ground game arranged soon but, if we can’t and it means I’m doing extra training instead, then so be it!” Kilburn Times
QPR BEAT BARNSLEY
QPR Official SiteQPR 41 38 82
Cardiff 41 21 72
Norwich 41 18 71
Swansea 41 19 70
Reading 41 24 69
Leeds 41 10 64
Nott'm Forest 41 11 63
Millwall 41 13 61
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - WARNOCK PROUD OF 'MAGNIFICENT' TROOPS
Posted on: Tue 12 Apr 2011
Neil Warnock was on cloud nine, as the R's cemented their position at the top of the table thanks to Adel Taarabt's only goal of the game at Barnsley.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Warnock said: "Adel took his goal superbly well - he's the only player on the park who would have scored it.
"I though we defended magnificently tonight.
"That started from the front with Heidar (Helguson), who has blood everywhere, but was first class.
"The back four didn't put a foot wrong - Matt Connolly and Kaspars Gorkss were instrumental.
"The two full-backs defended as well as they have done all season.
"They were all magnificent.
"To bounce back after a defeat is what makes this a great victory for us."
Warnock added: "I thought we could attack them in the second half and show why we're top of the league.
"I thought we controlled large parts of the second half.
"When you've got a team like ours, you've got to bounce back at the first opportunity and we did that in style tonight."
http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~2337371,00.html
SPORTING LIFE - WARNOCK LAUDS RESILIENT RANGERS
QPR manager Neil Warnock reflected on a "magnificent" defensive display as his team recovered from a mauling at Sc**thorpe to leave Oakwell with a clean sheet in addition to three points.
Moroccan playmaker Adel Taarabt scored after only 47 seconds to give Rangers a 1-0 win which put them 10 points clear and on the verge of promotion, depending on the outcome of a Football Association charge regarding the ownership of Argentinian midfielder Alejandro Faurlin which could result in a points deduction.
The match was marred by a bad-tempered spat between Taarabt and the Tykes' Jacob Butterfield, with Warnock intimating that he took the mercurial midfielder off to preserve his health.
Warnock said: "If you look at all the games where the team scores in the first minute, the other team will always come at you. That's when you have to hang in there.
"Tonight I thought we defended magnificently, and I think that started at the front.
"Barnsley had a good win on Saturday, they've got some good players and with the crowd being an extra man for them, that makes this such a great win for us.
"To bounce back from the defeat on Saturday - this league is so unpredictable.
"We could have won 5-0 on Saturday but we lost 4-1, it's that type of league.
"Adel (Taarabt) took his goal fantastically, he's the only player on the park that would have scored that.
"I had to take him off with all the tackles coming in. If they don't give a card for tackles like that, there's going to be some damage."
Barnsley manager Mark Robins remained philosophical despite the defeat.
Robins said: "Overall we got the ball into the box well but we just didn't have enough movement to put the ball into the net.
"When it did fall to Andy (Gray) in the first half, (Paddy) Kenny made a decent save.
"That's the only downside - the first 90 seconds we couldn't do anything about - apart from that I think we passed the ball well.
"We had most of the possession tonight and that's going to show in the stats.
"I was pleased with everything we did except sticking the ball in the back of the net.
"They're the league leaders and probably the champions and they made it difficult for us. It's a side that's led from the front all season." Sporting Life
BBC - Barnsley 0 - 1 QPR
Adel Tarrabt Taarabt scored again as QPR edged ever closer to promotion
Adel Taarabt's first-minute strike was enough to earn QPR a win over Barnsley, putting them within touching distance of promotion to the Premier League.
Taarabt's low strike on 47 seconds maintains QPR's 10-point lead at the top of the Championship.
Barnsley battled for a route back into the game and Barnsley's Jacob Butterfield came closest to equalising when his long-range drive hit the post.
But QPR remained resilient and held on for another three points.
Following their shock defeat at Sc**thorpe on Saturday, QPR bounced back in emphatic fashion, catching Barnsley cold at Oakwell.
Predictably it was Taraabt with the goal, fooling the Barnsley defence with a step-over and blasting beyond Luke Steele.
Barnsley responded well to the early setback and were the dominant side throughout the first half but Danny Haynes and Marlon Harewood were guilty of missed opportunities as Kaspars Gorkss starred at the heart of Rangers' defence.
Both sides were lucky to end the first period with 11 men, Taarabt fouling Butterfield and receiving a yellow card, only for the Barnsley man to retaliate shortly afterwards and pick up a booking for his troubles.
QPR's Tommy Smith tapped in from close range on 55 minutes, only for it to be chalked off for offside before Butterfield's excellent effort from distance hit the outside of Paddy Kenny's post.
But QPR held on for a win that could see them tentatively celebrate promotion to the Premier League with a victory in their next game against Derby. The club could be docked points nearer the end of the season however, as they await a disciplinary hearing after being charged with breaching Football Association player ownership rules.
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/12968169.stm
GUARDIAN
Adel Taarabt fires QPR past Barnsley and one step closer to promotion
* Richard Rae at Oakwell
Whether Adel Taarabt can possibly prove as influential in the Premier League as he has been for Queens Park Rangers in the Championship seems unlikely, but the young Moroccan continues to do more than anyone to return his side to the top flight.
Fit again after missing last Saturday's unexpected beating by lowly Sc**thorpe United with illness, it took Taarabt all of 47 seconds to calm fears that with the finishing line in sight, the league leaders might be about to stumble.
The game had barely kicked off when the former Spurs midfielder received the ball just outside the Barnsley penalty area on the left. With Barnsley's right-back Kieran Trippier standing nervously off him, Taarabt simply pushed the ball into the area and drove a low shot across and beyond goalkeeper Luke Steele and into the corner of the net. It was his 16th league goal in 39 appearances.
That he is a combustible talent, however, is without question. Despite the ideal start, Rangers found themselves being put under pressure by their opponents and the defensive frailty displayed at Glanford Park manifested itself again when only Paddy Kenny prevented Barnsley equalising within five minutes.
Having blocked but been unable to hold Andy Gray's shot, the Rangers' goalkeeper reacted quickly and bravely to prevent Marlon Harewood turning the rebound into the goal.
The Yorkshire team continued to press and Taarabt became increasingly frustrated. Ten minutes before half-time he was lucky to stay on the pitch when, after being dispossessed by Danny Haynes, he kicked out wildly. Had he connected with Haynes, he would surely have seen red rather than yellow.
Rangers were also lucky not to concede a penalty when Matt Hill's low cross appeared to strike Clint Hill on the arm as he slid in to block shortly before half-time. In case anyone was in any doubt, Barnsley manager Mark Robins joined the referee on the pitch as he walked off for the break and demonstrated exactly what he believed had happened.
Robins' temperature-raising antics notwithstanding, the second half took some time to come to the boil. On a pitch that made instant control difficult, Rangers gave the impression of being happy enough to sit on their lead. Taarabt was the subject of a bone-jarring tackle or two that referee Tony Bates considered acceptable, but Rangers manager Neil Warnock did not. His decision to substitute Taarabt was probably intended to him save his man from further punishment.
Nor was Warnock's mood improved by a series of decisions that went against his side. Had Barnsley midfielder Jacob Butterfield's shot from around 20 yards gone in instead of hitting the post with six minutes remaining, Warnock would have had real cause for complaint. As it is, promotion draws ever closer.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/apr/12/barnsley-qpr-championship
MAIL/John Edwards - Barnsley 0 QPR 1: Talisman Taarabt returns to fire Rangers closer to the Premier League
Fit-again skipper Adel Taarabt took QPR to within touching distance of the Barclays Premier League with a goal after only 47 seconds at Oakwell.
The 21-year old’s unerring low drive from a Wayne Routledge pass might have been the cue for the npower Championship pacesetters to turn on the style and banish the memory of Saturday’s shock 4-1 humbling at Sc**thorpe.
[image]
Flying high: Adel Taarabt celebrates after firing the winner for QPR at Barnsley
Instead, it turned into a long night for manager Neil Warnock, who saw his side pinned back for lengthy spells and suffer a scare in the 85th minute, when Jacob Butterfield cracked a long-range drive against a post.
As a further concern for Warnock, the reminder of Taarabt’s feared finishing came complete with another example of his petulant side in the 33rd minute.
Reacting angrily to an innocuous-looking challenge near the centre circle, the Moroccan striker could count himself fortunate to escape with a yellow card after wildly swinging his right boot at Matt Hill and almost making contact.
There appeared to be enough intent to warrant a straight red, but, to the dismay of home players and supporters, referee Tony Bates settled for a caution.
Taarabt
Flashpoint: Referee Tony Bates steps in to break up a scuffle involving Taarabt
After another skirmish midway through in the second half, Warnock had seen enough and withdrew his fiery frontrunner in the 68th minute, to spare him the threat of an unwanted suspension.
The QPR boss claimed it was to save him from the risk of injury, saying: ‘When you’ve got players kicking him from behind, and the referee is saying they’ve got the ball, you’ve got to do something to protect the lad.
‘I thought we defended magnificently, and I told the players that was like watching a Warnock team of old, putting heads in where it hurts, winning tackles and doing whatever it takes to keep our goal intact. I was so proud of them.’
The acceptable face of former Tottenham forward Taarabt gave QPR the ideal start, as he latched on to a Routledge pass on the left of the area and drilled a shot into the far corner.
Neil Warnock
Nearly there: QPR manager Neil Warnock celebrates in front of the travelling fans
Far from being deflated by such a stunning early setback, Barnsley countered almost immediately and nearly equalised in the fourth minute when Paddy Kenny spilled a low drive by Marlon Harewood but redeemed himself by blocking Andy Gray’s follow-up.
Barnsley midfielder Danny Haynes miskicked with the goal at his mercy in the 63rd minute, and Warnock was still berating referee Bates for a series of baffling decisions when Butterfield hit the post, with Kenny rooted to the spot.
Little had been seen of QPR as an attacking force in between, other than a Heidar Helguson header that clipped the post from Routledge’s cross.
Referring to Taarabt’s suspect temperament, Barnsley manager Mark Robins said, with a rueful smile: ‘The only down side for me was the first 90 seconds, when Taarabt had his only kick .. of the ball, that is.
‘Was he lucky to stay on? Possibly, though, to be fair, it was more a fresh air shot out of frustration than a malicious kick aimed at our lad.’ Mail
TELEGRAPH
TELERGAPH
Barnsley 0 Queen's Park Rangers 1: report
By David McVay 9:56PM BST 12 Apr 2011
QPR’s inexorable charge to the Premier League returned to cruise control at Oakwell last night as the Championship leaders extended their advantage at the top of the table.
An unexpected defeat, a heavy one at that, at lowly Sc**thorpe on Saturday transpired to be no more than a mere blip. Barnsley offered a stiff task but in the end the visitors had opened up a 10-point advantage over second-placed Cardiff City.
If automatic promotion is surely a formality now, QPR may be toasting Adel Taarabt at the end of the season knees-up after his 16th goal of the campaign proved decisive.
Just 47 seconds had elapsed when QPR began to make amends for their 4-1 weekend defeat in north Lincolnshire and inevitably it was their most notable absentee from that defeat who obliged with the rehabilitation.
A stomach upset deprived QPR of their potent weapon but confirmation that the Moroccan was restored to rude health arrived within a minute, a low angled left foot shot from the left fizzing beyond Luke Steele.
The goal was as much a product of the player’s talents as Barnsley’s woeful defending, allowing Wayne Routledge time and space before picking out his team-mate for the opener.
Barnsley’s response was swift but lacking the finishing touch as first Marlon Harewood’s effort from distance was parried by goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, who then recovered to deny Andy Gray’s close range attempt from the rebound.
Taarabt’s less appealing side was revealed midway through the first half as he aimed the equivalent of a golfer’s fresh air shot with his right boot after a late tackle on an opponent. In fairness, more a petulant temper tantrum than any intended malice which merited its yellow card.
A heavy tackle on Taarabt in the centre circle that went unpunished persuaded QPR manager Neil Warnock to withdraw his playmaker, a case of damage limitation perhaps.
Even so, the one-sided nature of the contest did not abate, though the Londoners have been here many times before this season, content to absorb pressure and pounce on the counter attack.
The formula almost reaped its reward when Routledge eluded his marker and floated over a cross which Heidar Helguson, drifting in at the far post, almost converted with a firm header into the side-netting.
Barnsley (4-4-2): Steele; Trippier, McShane, Shackell, M Hill (McEveley 77); Haynes, Mellis (Clark 77), Doyle, Butterfield; Gray (Noble-Lazarus 82), Harewood. Subs: Preece (g), Foster, Arismendi, O’Brien. Booked: Butterfield.
QPR (4-4-2): Kenny; Orr, Connolly, Gorkss, C Hill; Routledge, Derry, Faurlin, Smith; Taarabt (Ephraim 69), Helguson. Subs: Buzsaky, Agyemang, Hulse, Cerny (g), Miller, Shittu. Booked: Taarabt.
Referee: A Bates (Staffordshire). Telegraph
BARNSLEY OFFICIAL SITE - FULL-TIME FROM OAKWELL
Posted on: Tue 12 Apr 2011
The Reds showed hunger, desire, passion and commitment but just couldn't find that elusive equaliser they so thoroughly deserved.
Skipper Jason Shackell returned to the starting XI along with Jacob Mellis at the expense of Stephen Foster and the injured Hugo Colace.
...
Both sets of fans were in good voice from the off and they didn't have to wait long for the opener. Only 49 seconds were on the clock when that man Taarabt opened the scoring. After he picked up the ball on the left, the Moroccan cut inside and curled past Steele into the bottom corner.
Harewood surged forward with 5 minutes gone, his shot was spilled by Kenny and Gray saw his rebound saved once again by the former Sheffield United man. The subsequent corner was headed wide by Shackell.
Little happened in the next ten minutes but the Reds were keeping the ball well, utilising the pace and quality of Trippier down the right.
Doyle fancied a shot from 25-yards on 17 minutes but the former Hull City man's effort was always rising.
The Hoops were looking dangerous on the break as they were willing to sit back and let the Reds play.
Helguson scuffed wide from 25-yards after Derry had nipped in behind Mellis. But the forward's effort was never going to worry Steele on 23 minutes. A moment later and McShane sliced an attempt into the path of Harewood whose couldn't quite connect with an overhead-kick.
Trippier was providing some excellent deliveries down the right-hand channel, another fine cross found Harewood but the big striker was offside as he prodded over.
The Blackpool loanee had another attempt on 33 minutes, after turning well the forward's drive had the power but lacked accuracy as Kenny gobbled up with relative ease.
In the 35th minute, Adel Taarabt showed the other side of his game as he directed a wild swing with his boot at Hill after bringing Mellis down - the Football League's Player of the Season was probably lucky to stay on the pitch as the referee showed him a yellow card.
On the stroke of 38 minutes, Trippier managed to pick out Harewood once again - his header was on target as Gray looked to steal in but Kenny smothered the ball.
Mr Bates brought out the book again on 40 minutes - this time for Jacob Butterfield, much to the crowd's dismay. Butterfield appeared to win the ball but was shown a yellow card.
It was Hill turn for an attempt on goal but the full-back opted for his right boot and fired over whilst searching for his third goal in a Barnsley shirt.
Only a few minutes before the break and the Reds were looking strong, the only thing lacking was a Barnsley goal when two minutes of added time were indicated.
A strong claim for a penalty came in first-half stoppage time as Haynes drove forward. When the former Bristol City man cut inside it appeared to strike the hand of Clint Hill - the Reds were awarded a corner.
Second half
It was a lively yet quiet opening to the second period with no real goalmouth action at either end.
The flag was up well before Routledge tapped home in front of the following QPR supporters with nine minutes gone in the second-half.
Haynes flew into the area on 59 before releasing a powerful cross-come-shot that Kenny held well. Only a minute later and Gray almost got in on the Rangers stopper, only for a poor touch to let him down.
The Reds had a chance to cause bother in the Hoops' box on 63 minutes, the ball fell to Haynes who failed to make a proper connection for what would have surely been a Barnsley equaliser.
Barnsley were pinging the ball about well, looking hungry and battling for every ball in search of the equaliser they deserved.
Neil Warnock made the first change of the match as Ephraim came on for Taarabt with 21 to play.
On 77 minutes it was a proud moment for Jordan Clark who came on to make his Barnsley début - he replaced Jacob Mellis in midfield. Matt Hill was also substituted for Jay McEveley.
A rare second-half attempt for Rangers came on 81 minutes from Hulguson as he rose highest to meet Routledge's cross but his header skimmed off the post.
Reuben Noble-Lazarus replaced Andy Gray in attack with eight minutes left on the clock.
Butterfield had Kenny stranded on 86 when he unleashed a terrific 20-yard drive that fizzed inches wide and hammered the stanchion.
The fourth official indicated a minimum of four minutes stoppage-time.
The full-time whistle brought a huge roar from the away end - and it was one of relief for the following fifteen-hundred.
http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10309~2337277,00.html
QPR Official Site - Adel Taarabt's 47th second strike saw QPR move one step closer to the Premier League thanks to a 1-0 victory at Barnsley.
Returning to the side after missing out at the weekend, the R's skipper bagged the only goal of the game with an outstanding low left-footed strike that gave Luke Steele in the Tykes goal absolutely no chance.
Backed by over 1,600 magnificent hardy souls from West London, Rangers - inspired by the awesome central-defensive pairing of Matt Connolly and Kaspars Gorkss - were good value for the win.
The result now sees the R's move 10 points clear of Cardiff City at the top of the npower Championship - and crucially 11 clear of Norwich City in third place.
Rangers boss Neil Warnock made four changes for the trip to Barnsley.
Connolly, Gorkss, Heidar Helguson and Taarabt returned to the starting XI.
And they replaced Fitz Hall, Danny Shittu, Rob Hulse and Hogan Ephraim respectively.
Paddy Kenny was in goal for QPR, with Bradley Orr, Connolly, Gorkss and Clint Hill featuring in Rangers' back four.
Shaun Derry and Alejandro Faurlin were in defensive midfield, behind the more advanced trio of Wayne Routledge, Taarabt and Tommy Smith.
Helguson led the R's line in attack.
Looking to avenge for their 4-1 reverse at Sc**thorpe United last Saturday, Rangers got off to a terrific start - taking the lead after just 47 seconds!
It was a slick move that led to the opening goal, completed by an even better finish from Taarabt, who capped a neat passage of play with a quite stunning strike.
Kenny's ball from deep was controlled by Helguson into the path of Routledge, before the R's wing wizard played a measured pass into the direction of Taarabt on the left-hand edge of the box.
Thereafter, the magical Moroccan took a touch, before firing an effort with his weaker left foot into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
Five minutes later, and only a smart stop from Kenny kept the scores level.
Blackpool loanee Marlon Harwood's blast from 20 yards was too hot for the R's keeper to handle and, when the ball rolled back into the path of Andy Gray, Kenny raced off his line to block the Tykes attacker's subsequent effort from six-yards out.
Chances were few and far between in the first period.
Despite a rise in Barnsley possession after the opening goal, QPR were relatively untroubled in defence, with Connolly's clearance over the bar after a dangerous cross from Kieran Trippler the only real remaining test for Rangers to overcome in the half.
Taarabt was booked in the 35th minute, with his kick-out after a tussle with Paul McShane leaving referee Mr Bates with no option but to issue the R's playmaker with a yellow card.
Shortly before the break, the R's number seven was again in the thick of the action, with Hill nodding Taarabt's free-kick from the right inches wide of the back post.
The second half began much like of the first, with neither side creating a great deal in terms of clear-cut opportunities.
The R's had initially started to see more possession but, in similar vein to the first half, Barnsley continued to push forward.
However, it took some 37 minutes for this keenly-contested clash to see a chance of note in the second period.
Routledge broke free down the right and, when his looping cross found the waiting Helguson at the back post, the Icelandic striker rose like a salmon, only to see his downward header bounce off the foot of the near post and out of play.
The woodwork was to be called on again five minutes from time - but on this occasion at the other end.
The ball broke free to Jacob Butterfield 25-yards out, but his rasping drive clipped the edge of the right-hand post.
Barnsley: Steele, Butterfield, Foster, McShane, Trippier, Hill (McEveley 77), Harewood, Haynes, Gray (Noble-Lazarus 82), Shackell, Mellis (Clark 77).
Subs: Preece, Arismendi, Foster, O'Brien.
Bookings: Butterfield (19)
QPR: Kenny, Orr, Hill, Derry, Taarabt (Ephraim 69), Helguson, Faurlin, Gorkss, Routledge, Connolly, Smith.
Subs: Cerny, Buzsaky, Hulse, Miller, Shittu.
Goals: Taarabt (1)
Bookings: Taarabt (35)
Referee: Mr A Bates
Attendance: 11, 381
http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~52354,00.html
GUARDIAN
Adel Taarabt fires QPR past Barnsley and one step closer to promotion
* Richard Rae at Oakwell
Whether Adel Taarabt can possibly prove as influential in the Premier League as he has been for Queens Park Rangers in the Championship seems unlikely, but the young Moroccan continues to do more than anyone to return his side to the top flight.
Fit again after missing last Saturday's unexpected beating by lowly Sc**thorpe United with illness, it took Taarabt all of 47 seconds to calm fears that with the finishing line in sight, the league leaders might be about to stumble.
The game had barely kicked off when the former Spurs midfielder received the ball just outside the Barnsley penalty area on the left. With Barnsley's right-back Kieran Trippier standing nervously off him, Taarabt simply pushed the ball into the area and drove a low shot across and beyond goalkeeper Luke Steele and into the corner of the net. It was his 16th league goal in 39 appearances.
That he is a combustible talent, however, is without question. Despite the ideal start, Rangers found themselves being put under pressure by their opponents and the defensive frailty displayed at Glanford Park manifested itself again when only Paddy Kenny prevented Barnsley equalising within five minutes.
Having blocked but been unable to hold Andy Gray's shot, the Rangers' goalkeeper reacted quickly and bravely to prevent Marlon Harewood turning the rebound into the goal.
The Yorkshire team continued to press and Taarabt became increasingly frustrated. Ten minutes before half-time he was lucky to stay on the pitch when, after being dispossessed by Danny Haynes, he kicked out wildly. Had he connected with Haynes, he would surely have seen red rather than yellow.
Rangers were also lucky not to concede a penalty when Matt Hill's low cross appeared to strike Clint Hill on the arm as he slid in to block shortly before half-time. In case anyone was in any doubt, Barnsley manager Mark Robins joined the referee on the pitch as he walked off for the break and demonstrated exactly what he believed had happened.
Robins' temperature-raising antics notwithstanding, the second half took some time to come to the boil. On a pitch that made instant control difficult, Rangers gave the impression of being happy enough to sit on their lead. Taarabt was the subject of a bone-jarring tackle or two that referee Tony Bates considered acceptable, but Rangers manager Neil Warnock did not. His decision to substitute Taarabt was probably intended to him save his man from further punishment.
Nor was Warnock's mood improved by a series of decisions that went against his side. Had Barnsley midfielder Jacob Butterfield's shot from around 20 yards gone in instead of hitting the post with six minutes remaining, Warnock would have had real cause for complaint. As it is, promotion draws ever closer.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/apr/12/barnsley-qpr-championship
METRO' - Nolito 'tracked by QPR and Newcastle scouts with summer bids planned'
Barcelona forward Nolito is understood to be on the radar of Newcastle and QPR, with Rangers boss Neil Warnock hinting that he's ready to begin the search for summer transfer signings.
duct Nolito (left) could be sold to a Premier League club in the summer (Pic: Getty Images)
..Languishing in Barcelona's reserve team, Nolito has rejected a contract extension to stay at the Nou Camp and is openly searching for a new home to resurrect his career.
With first team places at a premium and the likes of Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta standing before him, the 24-year-old's future naturally lies at a move abroad and the Premier League could be the perfect home.
A product of the Barcelona's youth system, Nolito's style could compliment what's already been on offer at Loftus Road this season with Adel Taarabt providing breathtaking moments of flair during QPR's now seemingly inevitable promotion from the Championship.
QPR manager Neil Warnock this week said he knows what he needs to bolster the squad should they gain promotion into the top flight and that talks have begun with club stakeholders Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore about generating transfer funds.
'I told them about the type of player I'm looking for, but I don't want to start talking about the number of players we should bring in until we know where we are,' Warnock said.
'We need quite a number of players for the squad though. We need to fill the 25 places.
'Obviously players will be leaving as well, but let's get there first before we have a fuller discussion.'
With Nolito's contract coming to an, it's possible that he may be able to leave Barca on a free transfer and join QPR at a bargain basement price.
Newcastle plush with funds from Andy Carrol's departure are the other potential suitors with the Toon saying they are prepared to invest in the club for the future.
Netting 12 goals and eight assists in 29 appearances so far this season, Nolito is currently valued at around £2million, but proven experience at a top level may work against him when negotiating with a new club.
Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola awarded Nolito two first team chances to prove himself but the young striker looked uneasy and nervous.
The Cataln club has confirmed Nolito is looking elsewhere, but reiterated that everything was done to keep him at Barcelona.
'We have offered him a contract extension, but he didn't accept it. Barca vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu said.
'We would love to keep him at the club, but he has turned us down.' Metro
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