Previewing QPR's Visit to Bristol City

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It's QPR at Bristol City today which should let QPR fans get a chance to assess how strong a promotion challenge this team is going to make and how they do away from home. Things change: A few years back, the two teams were promotion rivals in the (old) Third Division; and this was one of QPR's primary games of the season. Now it's "just" another tough, challenging game in a season full of tough, challenging games.

A couple of memory snippets re Bristol City: (Forget the rivalries of a few years ago!): In 1967/68, QPR beat Bristol City to go top of Division Two (an incredible experience!); in September 1970, Barry Bridges played his last QPR game against (Chris Garland's) Bristol City. Bridges scored with his trademark racing through - chipping the goalie...And in March 1972, Rodney Marsh wore the hoops for the last time in the away game at Bristol City (QPR lost their third in a row) .


Reminder - if any QPR fans need reminding: Coming up in a few hours (just after noon, GMT: The Carling Cup Draw!


Western Daily Press - Ledesma's a danger, warns boss Johnson
Bristol City boss Gary Johnson has warned his side to be aware of the threat posed by QPR 'showman' Emmanuel Ledesma when the two sides clash at Ashton Gate today.
The highly-rated young winger has earned rave reviews since arriving from Serie A side Genoa on loan over the summer.
The Argentinian has plundered four goals in his last two games, including a hat-trick against Carlisle in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night.
And Johnson has labelled the 'little Argentinian' a 'showman' in keeping with the QPR tradition of fielding entertaining players.
He said: "QPR have always had good, entertaining showman-type players and that is what their fans demand.
Rodney Marsh, Stan Bowles and Gerry Francis are that type from a previous era and they are starting to pick up those types of players again.
"The little Argentinian is certainly one of them and we have to be well aware of him.
"He likes to come in off the right and smack the ball and is certainly one of their dangerous players.
"QPR have brought some very, very good footballers over the summer and they will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season."
Johnson has called on his side to bounce back after the disappointment of their Carling Cup exit at Crewe.
City remain unbeaten in the league, however, after banking two away wins and a home draw and Johnson added: "We were disappointed not to beat Derby at home after a really solid first-half performance.
"That we are disappointed to have drawn with a team that was in the Premiership last year shows how far we have come over the last 12 months.
"We want to make Ashton Gate a place where we get the majority of our points because that is where they have to come.
"We were disappointed with what happened at Crewe but we have to bounce back.
"We need to get more quality crosses in and shots on goal because that was something that was poor the other night.
"It will be a great footballing game and we have to make sure that we don't play in a way that suits them.
"They are very good when they have the ball, but so are we.
"It will be up to us to try and wrestle the ball away from them and create opportunities and do better with them than we did at Crewe."
Johnson will see a familiar face from his past when he glances across to the away dug-out.
QPR coach Gareth Ainsworth played under Johnson during his reign at Cambridge United in the early 90s and is not surprised that City have risen quickly under his former boss.
"Sometimes teams who lose the play-off final can find the following season something of a hangover, but I can't see that happening with City," said Ainsworth.
"Gary Johnson was my manager at Cambridge and I know he isn't someone to dwell on the past.
"City are a footballing side and they're a well-supported club with the potential to be a massive force.
"They beat Coventry, who had won all their games up to then and, although they lost in the Carling Cup at Crewe, I know they rested some key players. So we'll certainly be showing them respect.
"We should have won at Ashton Gate last season, so we want to put that right this time and, although I think a point would be a good result, we'll be going there for all three."
City (from): Basso, Weale, Orr, Carey, Fontaine, Webster, McAllister, McIndoe, Johnson, Noble, Skuse, Wilson, Sproule, Adebola, Maynard, Brooker. Western Daily Press


Western Daily Press - We're here to compete, says [Bristol City Chairman, Steve] Lansdown
Bristol City chairman Steve Lansdown has insisted the Robins are not in the Championship to "make up the numbers" and will invest in the club until they reach the very top.
Speaking ahead of the visit of big-spending Queens Park Rangers today, whose new owners Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone have vowed to take them back to the top tier, Lansdown was not shy about his own aspirations - including the new stadium.
He said: "We want to play at the highest possible level with the best possible facilities and that's what I'm going to work towards, and that's what Gary (Johnson) is going to work towards, as well.
"We have our own plan of how we go about doing things. That's not going to change. We go about our job quietly but efficiently. If you look at the record over the last however many years, there's been constant investment in the football club, and that's all you can ask for.
"We are working on opportunities to take the club forward and we're there to compete with (the likes of QPR).
We're not there to just make up the numbers. The idea is to progress as much as we possibly can.
"(The stadium) is progressing satisfactorily. It's a long process, so there are no sudden announcements to make. It's on target at the moment and that's all I can really say. There are lots of difficult decisions to be made and we are working our way through those."
Lansdown was particularly proud of the way Johnson's team have started this year's Championship campaign, showing no signs of "second-season syndrome", despite their opponents having a much better knowledge of the Robins' tactics and armoury..."
." Western Daily Press


Bristol City MATCH PREVIEW: QPR HOME
Read Brendon Mitchell's match preview blog, only on bcfc.co.uk.
Tomorrow throws up yet another fascinating Coca-Cola Championship fixture as the so-called 'Chelsea of the Football League' come to town.
Last time Queens Park Rangers visited Ashton Gate City hadn't played a second tier match for almost a decade. To say both clubs have undergone something of a transformation since that sunny afternoon in August some twelve months ago wouldn't necessarily be an overstatement. Whilst City hasn't seen the same turnover of personnel that Rangers has, the raised expectation levels and belief is parallel between the two clubs.
Both enter the new season amongst the bookmakers favourites to challenge for promotion, when this time last season both sets of fans were probably hoping for little more than consolidation.
QPR will be happy enough with their start to the season too, as new manager Iain Dowie looks to build some early momentum. Comfortable home wins against Barnsley and Doncaster offer cause for optimism, though a 3-0 defeat at Bramall Lane two weeks ago means that Rangers will come to BS3 in search of their first away points of the season. They're also through to the third round of the Carling Cup after a thumping 4-0 win over League One promotion hopefuls Carlisle in midweek.
Their wealthy owners will be hoping for a good cup run as they look to recoup some of the money they've splashed out on a series of impressive summer signings. The loan signing of Daniel Parejo from Real Madrid was the one that caught most people's eye.
The highly-rated midfielder is thought to have an exciting future in the game, and it's considered that legend Alfredo di Stefano rates the 19-year-old as Madrid's brightest prospect. Rangers were particularly fortunate to capture the youngster's signature when you consider European giants such as Arsenal, Deportivo La Coruna and Espanyol were also after him.
The Spaniard joins a squad full of talented players, including Damien Delaney, Fitz Hall and Dexter Blackstock. With former Loftus Road favourite Lee Cook rejoining from Fulham, and Martin Rowlands, who was particularly impressive at Ashton Gate last season, unable to even make the starting eleven, there is clearly quality throughout and the pressure will be on Iain Dowie to deliver instant results.
Scott Murray's last minute wonder-strike was one highlight of many last year and it is sure to be another great occasion at Ashton Gate tomorrow afternoon. If it's anything like last season's meeting you won't be able to take your eyes off it.
Brendon Mitchell Bristol City Official Site


Bristol City - QPR TEST IS BENCHMARK - GARY
Gary Johnson believes tomorrow's clash with QPR will be a good benchmark for his side.
The City manager predicts the R's - who visit Ashton Gate tomorrow at 3pm - will be amongst the top six in the Coca-Cola Championship come the end of the season.
World TV: Gary Johnson video interview
He told Bristol City World: "We knew QPR would spend some money in the summer and bring in some good foreign players.
"With their Italian links they've been able to get in a few from the Italian league, and they've got the lad from Real Madrid. Those players wouldn't normally be coming to the Championship if it wasn't for finances of QPR.
"It happens in other places. At Liverpool, Rafael Benitez has brought in Spaniards, as has Roberto Martinez at Swansea. Arsene Wenger brought a French influence to Arsenal and we've brought a Yeovil influence to Bristol City! I've been very happy with that by the way.
"We've also been spreading the net ourselves and believe we know what's out there. At the right time we'll do the right thing.
"At the moment we're third in the league and want to stay up there. We have to produce the kind of performance we did in the first half against Derby for both halves tomorrow."
Jamie McAllister (ankle) could play despite being stretchered off in midweek at Crewe. Adriano Basso and Chris Weale are competing for the goalkeeping position.
Bristol City


QPR Official Site - THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: ROBINS
After the rollercoaster ride that was last season, Bristol City will look to go about achieving promotion in a slightly easier way this year.
The Robins were only pipped to the post by a spectacular Dean Windass volley last May, as Hull City claimed a place in the Promised Land after overcoming the impressive West Country outfit at the new Wembley Stadium.
A solid start to this season has confirmed them as genuine promotion challengers, with a last-gasp away win at Blackpool and a draw with Derby County setting the benchmark, prior to last weekend's stunning 3-0 victory at previously-unbeaten Coventry City.
Attempts to sign new recruits have been met with varied results, but a new striker was always the top priority and that has been fulfilled with the acquisition of Nicky Maynard from Crewe, who has already opened his account.
The loss of towering centre-half Jamie McCombe has been relieved with the impressive signing of Andy Webster from Glasgow Rangers and the early signs are certainly very positive for the Ashton Gate outfit.
Manager Gary Johnson has enjoyed success at previous Club Yeovil and since his move to the West Country, and whilst he is regarded as a fine Manager, he is also a character off the pitch, something that sees him as a favourite amongst both the fans and his players.
The Robins will be hoping to emulate last season, and it will be down to that man Johnson to get the best out of his side all over again this year.

Team News
Gary Johnson accepted some responsibility for Tuesday's Carling Cup second round at the hands of Crewe Alexandra, later admitting he should have rested some of his senior players.
The Robins boss made just a solitary change from the weekend's victory at Coventry City, selecting goalkeeper Chris Weale at the expense of Adriano Basso.
Johnson told BBC Radio Bristol: "We had worked very hard on Saturday and maybe I should have made some changes, but we wanted to keep the continuity.
"Nobody wanted to be rested, but our mental game wasn't good and the quality wasn't there. We let Crewe dictate and when that happens you get beat."
Jamie McCombe, who was stretchered off during the 2-1 defeat, could return from a shin injury, but Marvin Elliott (knee) is out. QPR


See Also:

- Bristol City Rivals Preview of Bristol City vs QPR

- QPRNet/Ron Norris and Simon Skinner Preview of Bristol City vs QPR

- Clive Whittingham/LoftforWords - Bristol City vs QPR Match Preview

- Clive Whittingham/LoftforWords Memories/Connections Bristol City vs QPR