Fulham midfielder Adel Taarabt insists he is keen to shake off his negative image and says people who label him as lazy are wrong.
The 24-year-old joined Martin Jol’s side on a season-long loan earlier this month and made his debut for the club in their 1-0 victory over Sunderland on Saturday.
Questions have been raised over the Morocco international’s work rate but the midfielder believes his new manager can get the best out of him this term.
“People criticise me and give me a bad image. I don’t know why. I’m not this guy they paint a bad picture of. They call me lazy and I only play when I feel like it, but that’s not true,” Taarabt told reporters.
“Saying I don’t want to play in the Championship does not make me a bad person. I was lucky coming here because Martin knows me not just as a footballer but as a person. He knows the real me. Everyone says I’m a bad boy, but not Martin. Yes I can get a bit upset on the pitch, who doesn’t?”
Taarabt revealed that he found life difficult at QPR following their high number of new signings last summer and says he prefers the atmosphere at his new club.
“Fulham is a very different club to QPR,” Taarabt said.
“There are so many players here who have been here a long time – four or five years – and it’s more of a family club. Everyone is friends with each other. You sense it as soon as you walk in. Last year, QPR signed 12 players and there were many strangers. It was difficult.
“Here, there’s more of a team spirit. I’ve only been at Fulham a few weeks, but everyone has made me welcome. It’s not just about the players, but the backroom staff. Everyone at the club is so friendly.
“It’s one big happy family. That’s why people like to stay here, and it’s known as a friendly club for a good reason.”
