The Queens Park Rangers show comes to Ashton Gate today complete with its Formula One owners and Real Madrid loan starlet, but Bristol City chairman Steve Lansdown believes the Robins can steal some of the limelight.
Flavio Briatore, manager of the Renault Formula One team, and Grand Prix supremo Bernie Ecclestone took over at Loftus Road a year ago and have overhauled the team in their bid to take Rangers back to the top tier of English football.
Lansdown is not planning on letting them have it all their own way, though, and insists City have the resources and the quality to continue their progress and another flying start to the season.
He said: “We have got something to prove. I think we go into the game probably as underdogs because of the situation, but we know what we’ve got here (at Ashton Gate) and we want to show we deserve to get to the top of the table. Competing against teams like QPR will be a good test for us.”
Money has been lavished by Briatore and Ecclestone on hauling QPR out of debt and into the role of Championship contenders.
Exotic imports such as Real Madrid’s teenage midfield sensation Daniele Parejo and Genoa’s Argentinian forward Emmanuel Ledesma have been brought in on loan to add flair to new manager Iain Dowie’s side.
Lansdown said: “From a QPR perspective, it’s probably one of the best things that could have happened to them. You had people who had wealth to their name and who were in a situation to help the club through a very bad patch.
"From a Bristol City perspective, obviously you watch with interest how they progress with regard to how they invest in the club, what they spend on players and the squad they build up.
“They have spent quite a considerable amount of money. One shouldn’t be misled about the fact there haven’t been major transfer fees paid. Players are only going to go there for a good salary and knowing there is cash there and the club is ambitious to get to the Premiership. Make no mistake about it - they have invested heavily in the squad.”
QPR are cited as one of the favourites for promotion given the new investment, yet their temperament on the road was tested and found wanting in a 3-0 defeat at Sheffield United.
And Lansdown is hoping City can further dent Rangers’ aspirations as manager Gary Johnson continues to further aspirations of his own.
Lansdown said: “I am really looking forward to this one because it is so interesting for all sorts of different reasons, and hopefully the results will prove we are on the right track. And I’m confident we can give a good account of ourselves and come away with a result. But I have to say, it’s not going to be easy. They never are.”
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