Taarabt shift pleases Warnock

Warnock: Taarabt delight

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QPR manager Neil Warnock hailed the performance of Adel Taarabt after his goal in the 2-0 win over Plymouth - but admitted he was struggling to remember the midfielder's name.

Taarabt was on target from the spot in the 36th minute to help fire his side to a second successive victory that maintains Neil Warnock's 100 per cent record as QPR's new boss.

The Moroccan then set up Damion Stewart for Rangers' second to seal three points that eased the Londoners' relegation worries.

Warnock was delighted with the contribution of the on-loan Tottenham player and backed him to make an impact at his parent club should he maintain a similar level of performance to the one that demolished the sorry Pilgrims.

Razzmatazz

"I call him Tarbs," said Warnock. "I knew he had a lot of ability and I've spoken to Harry Redknapp about him - he told me you'll be tearing your hair out at times.

"But I think I'm the right type of manager he needs and he's already working harder than he ever has. He's a gifted lad. They've got ability and they've got to add work-rate to it.

"Everyone in the country knows this team has under-achieved but you don't win anything on ability alone. It's what is under the shirt that counts as well.

"He's got ability but he's listening and he's trying his hardest. He's got to do that to have any chance of getting into Harry's squad. I think its good grounding for him and will do him a bit of good."

Warnock is Rangers' fifth manager of the season and the former Crystal Palace chief will be looking to bring some much needed stability to the club.

His new role began in the perfect fashion as he saw his charges defeat high-flying West Brom on Saturday before witnessing the club's first clean sheet in 25 matches.

The shut-out delighted the 61-year-old, who was pleased with the way his side defended their two goal lead.

He added: "It was a different game from Saturday, with all the 'razzmatazz' of my first game. My centre-halves and goalkeeper were magnificent but you have to defend from the front and I thought we did that."

Mariner reaction

Plymouth counterpart Paul Mariner was philosophical after the loss, despite seeing his side rooted in the bottom three following another set-back in their hopes of beating the drop.

Argyle are seven points from safety and time is running out for the Devon club to retain their Championship status.

And Mariner pointed to the superior financial backing afforded to Tuesday's opponents, saying the greater quality possessed by Warnock had the difference.

He also lamented his side's finishing in front of goal, highlighting an effort spurned by defender Kari Arnason to get his team back in the tie by heading an Alan Judge free-kick over the bar.

"Neil's done a great job since he's come in," said Mariner. "But you have to remember they put this squad together with quite a lot of money and they have a lot of talented players.

"Chances like that change games. David Stockdale hasn't had a save to make and yet we've lost the game 2-0.

"It was a poor penalty to give away and then we let another in after 48 minutes. In our position we can't keep shooting ourselves in the foot."