Warnock: Barton is bringing out the best in his QPR team-mates

QPR boss Neil Warnock believes summer signing Joey Barton is bringing the best out of Adel Taarabt and the rest of his new team-mates.

After Barton arrived on a free transfer from Newcastle in August, Shaun Derry admitted he expected ‘fireworks’ between the controversial midfielder and the often temperamental Taarabt. But Warnock reckons the Moroccan playmaker has been inspired by his new team-mate, as well as the rest of the squad, and has hailed the impact Barton has made at Loftus Road.

“I think players play better when they have got something to prove and Joey’s no different to everyone else”Neil Warnock. "He’s brought the quality that I think we were missing," Warnock said, speaking ahead of the home clash with Aston Villa on Sunday.

 

"He’s got the experience but he’s still got so much to prove, as all the new lads have. "It is really pleasing for me to look at everyone that’s come in and know they’ve all got something to prove. I think players play better when they have got something to prove and Joey’s no different to everyone else.

 

"You look at people like Paddy Kenny, Shaun Derry and Ali Faurlin and they’ve all lifted their own games and whether you like it or not he has that influence around the place that if you're not a winner, you're not going to be around us very long.

"Adel Taarabt as well has responded really well to Joey. I thought they might clash and I'm sure they will at some stage but I think Adel has responded and gone the opposite. He's been delighted to get someone like that playing with him."