A Look Back at QPR's Transfer Signings Over Past 18 Months - Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times

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[An interesting look back at QPR's transfer signings in the past 18 months. The possible role played by Chairman Paladini in any of these transfers is not noted.]

Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Why Gregory must get this right
JOHN Gregory has one week left to pull off a transfer deal that could tip the scales of Championship survival in QPR's favour.
The January transfer window slams shut a week today and, with Finnish defender Sampsa Timoska the only new arrival so far, Gregory knows his actions over the coming days could have tremendous repercussions for the club's future.
Whether or not the Rangers boss succeeds in capturing the men he wants, supporters must be praying the outcome of this transfer window is better than the previous three.
Former manager Ian Holloway was fiercely opposed to the concept of the window from the start - and it could hardly be said that his dealings in the summer of 2005 or January 2006 proved beneficial to the club.
Holloway's successor, Gary Waddock, also left QPR with a sorry legacy - four of his signings from last summer are either on their way out or already gone.
So, has the transfer window been a total disaster or have there been a few comforting glimpses of the rainbow through heavy clouds? The Times takes a look back...

SUMMER 2005 (Holloway)

BUOYED by a top-half finish the previous season, Holloway sought to fill out his squad with a total of nine new signings, including three in midfield.

One of those was former Rangers hero Richard Langley, rejoining from Cardiff but, although he shone in patches, a lack of consistency, along with financial problems at QPR, saw him offloaded to Luton nine months later.

Goalkeeper Simon Royce, who finally joined on a permanent basis from Charlton, proved a sound acquisition, while the experienced Steve Lomas (West Ham) and Danish striker Marc Nygaard (Brescia) have shown their capabilities, injury permitting.

Left-back Mauro Milanese (Ancona) flourished later under Waddock, but is now deemed surplus to requirements, while former Chesterfield captain Ian Evatt - the only cash signing Rangers made at £150,000 - was transfer-listed after six months and has since joined Blackpool on a free.

The remaining three - Tommy Doherty (Bristol City), Stefan Moore (Aston Villa) and Nigerian full-back Ugo Ukah - also fell out of favour very quickly and, apart from Moore, have moved on.

JANUARY 2006 (Holloway)

ONLY two short-term - and short-lived - signings were made during the window as Holloway's reign at Loftus Road neared its end.

Polish international full-back Marcin Kus (Polonia Warsaw) made just three appearances in a Rangers shirt, while Danish striker Sammy Youssouf (Maritimo) failed to score in six outings.

Both were released at the end of the season, while Waddock, installed as caretaker boss, also cut short the loan spells of his predecessor's last two signings, Wolves pair Leon Clarke and Keith Lowe, after just one game.

SUMMER 2006 (Waddock)

THE sale of star defender Danny Shittu to Watford afforded Waddock some funds to spend and he invested £500,000 - the biggest fee paid out by Rangers in eight years - on Southampton striker Dexter Blackstock.

With eight goals so far in a QPR shirt, Blackstock has fitted in well at Loftus Road, but Jamaican centre-back Damion Stewart (Harbour View) is probably the only other Waddock signing who can make that claim.

Fellow defender Zesh Rehman, who cost Rangers £250,000 from Fulham, has only returned to the side in recent weeks, while Australian midfielder Nick Ward (Perth Glory) is now on his way out after failing to impress the new manager.

Nigerian midfielder Egutu Oliseh (La Louviere) and Polish forward Adam Czerkas (Odra Wodislaw) have been released after a handful of first-team games each.

Armel Tchakounte, the Cameroonian midfielder who spent last season with Carshalton Athletic, will be following suit without ever playing for QPR's senior side.

"It's not stock I need, it's quality," Gregory admitted recently. He has just a week left to unearth some Kilburn Times

Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times Cup calamity will cost Rangers
QPR have missed out on an estimated £300,000 windfall after crashing out of the FA Cup to a feeble Luton side in Tuesday's replay....
Instead, Mike Newell's team will host Rovers this Saturday and pick up a estimated £200,000 for a match that will be screened live on BBC TV, in addition to FA prize money and a healthy share of the gate receipts....
"It's a big blow to the club because it's a lot of money we've lost," said QPR manager John Gregory. "I was annoyed we weren't at least 4-0 up at half-time - and we should have won about 7-0.
Kilburn Times