A day of ins and outs at Loftus Road

Gregory said after the defeat at Wolves on Saturday that he’d already made his mind up on who was staying and who wasn’t and today the retained list was released to the supporters on the club’s official website.

Just two of the ten out of contract players have been offered new deals. Captain Marcus Bignot has become the heart and soul of the club since Gregory took over, all a far cry from 12 months ago when Gary Waddock lumped him in with the players he didn’t think was good enough and transfer listed him.

While some moaned and sulked Bignot took Waddock’s actions in good heart and continued to work as hard as ever to prove him wrong. His versatility and consistency across the back line this season have made him a valuable asset. He thoroughly deserves his new deal which, if accepted, will keep him at Loftus Road for another season.

Marc Nygaard is also bing given the opportunity to stay. This decision might raise a few eyebrows among the supporters who haven’t always been too keen on him. His two goals at Leicester secured three priceless points earlier this season and he’s never easy for a defence to handle despite his shortcomings.

It remains to be seen whether both players accept the terms on offer.

A clutch of players are leaving the club this summer. Marc Bircham, Kevin Gallen and Paul Furlong are all on their way – they were key members of the team that won promotion from League One in 2004.

Gallen made nearly 400 appearances for Rangers in two seperate spells over the last decade, scoring 92 goals. He has spent the second half of this season on loan at Plymouth. He has been linked with a move to Millwall.

Marc Bircham joined Rangers from Millwall in 2002 and was an instant hit with the fans with his blue hair and full blooded midfield displays. He made 145 appearances with QPR scoring seven goals including a memorable last minute winner at Brentford as Rangers battled their way to the play off final. He has been missing from the first team picture for the last three months because of a long standing back injury but has been liked with a move to Leicester City this summer. He has been frequently linked with Sheff Utd and Nottm Forest in the past.

Paul Furlong has turned out to be a fantastic signing for the club. When the 37 year old signed from Birmingham in 2002 it was already seen as something of an Inidan summer for the former Chelsea and Watford man. He’d been on loan with QPR for a brief period at the start of the 2000/01 season and scored on his second full debut against Chesterfield at Loftus Road but despite this became a target for boo boys as the team’s form dipped.

He came back with a terrific run of goals after Christmas as Rangers made it to the play offs. In the semi final at Loftus Road against Oldham he scored a memorable winner and was immediately taken to the hearts of the fans that had given him so much stick just a few weeks before.

He scored 16 goals as QPR were promoted the following season and then got 18 in a memorable Championship campaign in 2003/04. Ian Holloway rewarded him with a two year contract for this but over the past couple of seasons the years and injuries have started to catch up with him. He managed seven goals last season but injury curtailed his impact this campaign – until the Easter fixture against Luton when he stooped to head home a trademark goal at the Loft End and win three valuable points.

Furs made 157 appearances and scored 56 goals for QPR and is now tipped for a move into coaching, though he still feels he may have one more year in him yet.

Gregory has also decided to release Mauro Milanese after two seasons and 44 appearances at Loftus Road. Steve Lomas is also seeking pastures new after 57 appearances in the last 18 months for QPR. Lomas signed from West Ham and Milanese from Perugia.

Both the club’s senior goalkeepers are also heading through the exit doors at Loftus Road. Simon Royce has endured a dramatic fall from grace in the past few months – from first choice keeper to being loaned out to Gillingham basically on the back of one horror show at Southend. Royce made 57 appearances in two season ater signing from Charlton – this followed 16 starts for the Hoops in a previous loan spell. Gillingham will chase his permanent signature this summer.

Paul Jones was Gary Waddock’s first signing and has made 26 appearances over the past two seasons. Age was always likely to cost him a new deal this time around however I am a little surprised that he hasn’t been offered the job as goalkeeper coach – a role he’s fulfilled since the departure of Tony Roberts.

Armel Tchakounte leaves Loftus Road without a first team appearance to his name. He signed from Carshalton almost a year ago to the day.