QPR's £4m Fulham transfer agreement reaped one big reward - but should there have been more? | OneFootball

Bobby Zamora will always have that memorable moment but his time at QPR wasn't all that.

The 2010-11 season saw Queens Park Rangers secure a return to the Premier League for the first time since 1995-96, as Neil Warnock's side finished top of the Championship with 88 points.

As they prepared for life in the top flight, QPR's hierarchy went on a spending spree, signing 12 players in an effort to bolster their squad and ensure survival.

Their most expensive acquisition, however, came in January after the appointment of new manager Mark Hughes, who brought in Bobby Zamora from Fulham.

Signed for £4 million on deadline day, it was hoped that Zamora would be the answer to the Hoops' goalscoring woes.

Truthfully, that aspect of his game never fully materialised at Loftus Road. However, Bobby Zamora still cemented his status as a club legend with his iconic play-off final goal against Derby County. But for a £4 million outlay on a 31-year-old, should he have contributed more, or was that one unforgettable moment enough to justify the hefty fee?

Bobby Zamora's overall time at QPR

One of two attacking signings in the January window of 2012, Zamora's job alongside Djibril Cissé was to find the goals to keep QPR's Premier League hopes alive in 2011-12.

The striker managed to find the net on his debut against Wolves, but only struck once more over the next 14 games. Nonetheless, he featured heavily in the final part of the season and did enough to help them secure safety as they finished outside the relegation zone by one point.

The next year was a real disappointment for Zamora and the R's as they finished bottom of the league with 25 points. The striker had a thankless task up front and managed just four goals in 21 injury-hit appearances.

To make matters worse, he was heavily criticised by new manager Harry Redknapp for a red card he received late in the season against Wigan Athletic. The former West Ham United boss called his dismissal "a crazy challenge" and admitted that the Hoops' number 25 wasn't "100% fit".

Ultimately, his dismissal proved costly, as Redknapp’s side managed to collect just one point from their final six games - three of which Zamora was suspended for - confirming their relegation to the Championship.

The 2013-14 campaign was another frustrating one for Zamora, with injuries once again limiting his impact. He managed just 17 league appearances, scoring three times, but still played a key role in QPR’s play-off push, providing an assist for Charlie Austin in a crucial 2-1 victory that secured their top-six spot with two games to spare.

The play-offs, of course, were where his iconic moment arrived, but up to that point in his QPR career, Zamora had managed just 10 goals in 57 appearances.

Bobby Zamora - QPR's play-off hero

Football is a game of moments and heading into the play-off final, both Derby County and QPR knew that a defensive mistake or a stunning finish could be the difference between them winning or losing 'the most expensive game in football'.

For the R's, it looked like that mistake arrived in the 60th minute when Gary O'Neil tripped Johnny Russell as he was baring down on goal. The midfielder was sent off and Rams supporters must have been certain that this would be their day in the sun.

Redknapp had already thrown on Zamora just a few minutes earlier, and the manager made his final change as Karl Henry entered the fray for Clint Hill.

QPR endured relentless pressure from Derby over the next 30 minutes, defending resolutely as the Rams pushed for a winner. Then, in the dying moments, they seized their chance.

Junior Hoilett showed great determination down the right flank, keeping the ball in play before delivering a cross into the box. Derby captain Richard Keogh attempted to clear, but his miscue sent the ball straight into the path of Bobby Zamora. With time seemingly standing still, the striker kept his composure and curled a left-footed effort past Lee Grant into the bottom corner - securing QPR’s return to the Premier League in the most dramatic fashion.

The attacker was rewarded with a one-year contract, and he arguably had his most productive season for the Hoops as he provided three goals and four assists across 31 games.

Nevertheless, QPR were still relegated and Zamora departed Loftus Road to return to his hometown club of Brighton.

Bobby Zamora’s time in west London is a curious tale. While his £4 million price tag may not have been justified by his return of just 14 goals in 92 appearances, his iconic play-off final winner ensured he will always be remembered as a QPR legend.