Derry thought QPR had 11 men

Shaun Derry: Was not even aware that Adel Taarabt had been sent off against Spurs

Nedum Onuoha has revealed QPR team-mate Shaun Derry did not even realise Adel Taarabt had been sent off in Saturday's win against Tottenham.

Taarabt scored the only goal of the game before receiving a red card from referee Mark Clattenburg with 12 minutes remaining.

But Hoops defender Onuoha was amazed to discover that was news to Derry when the midfielder reached the dressing room after the game.

"The funniest thing was at the end of the game Shaun Derry didn't even realise we were down to 10 men."
Nedum Onuoha Quotes of the week

"The funniest thing was at the end of the game Shaun Derry didn't even realise we were down to 10 men," Onuoha told The Star.

"I don't know whether that says he was a bit spaced out or that it was just the same as usual for us because we always have to work so hard.

"There was just a real look of shock on his face when someone said that Adel got sent off. To think that is remarkable really, isn't it?

"I think it was Anton Ferdinand who told him. I just thought, 'Wow. I don't know what planet he's been living on to think it was 11 versus 11!'"

Confusion

There was some confusion surrounding the sending-off, with Clattenburg initially appearing to brandish the second yellow without the requisite red.

"Adel was unlucky to be sent off," added Onuoha. "I think the referee forgot he had booked him in the first half because that was a bit harsh.

"Do I think the ref wouldn't have booked him again if he had remembered? That's my opinion, yeah."

Remarkably, Taarabt's red card was QPR's fifth since February and while Onuoha is at a loss to explain the phenomenon he believes it is testament to the character at QPR that they continue to battle on.

"I think we showed real character to win with 10 men," added the 25-year-old.

"I don't know why we keep having people sent off.

"If we stay up, we'll most definitely have done it the hard way. But maybe that will make it even sweeter if we do."