Bristol City boss Gary Johnson is unwavering in his prediction Wolves will win promotion - after they’ve dropped three points at Ashton Gate.
The City manager is convinced his side are unfazed by taking on the league leaders and are well primed to do so after 180 minutes of FA Cup action against Premier League Portsmouth.
“It's always nice to have a big game after a big game because hopefully the lads are still up for it,” said Johnson. "We always feel big teams are beatable in this division when we're at Ashton Gate. We've had too many draws but that doesn't stop us thinking they're beatable.
"It will be a fantastic game but we shouldn't go into it with any worries that we're playing top of the league.”
And Johnson is looking forward to seeing his latest signing Peter Styvar test his talent against Championship as opposed to Premier League opposition.
The Slovakian striker, signed at the start of the transfer window from MSK Zilina for a reported £400,000, had a baptism of fire at Fratton Park then Ashton Gate, pitting his pace and trickery against some of the most experienced and respected defenders in the world.
“If your first two games are up against Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin on your own, it's ‘oh my God, welcome to English football’,” said Johnson.
“He's played against the best and to be fair he kept the ball for us. There's a good player there. And we'll see at our own level, and with our team maybe creating a few more easier chances, Peter is very good at sniffing out goals from short range and long range.
“You can't have enough players in your club like that. Of course he's got to get to the tempo of the game but he won't come up against players like that (Campbell and Distin) every week in the Championship.”
Wolves top the table by four points, despite two draws and a defeat in their last three league outings, and in 2003/04 were plying their trade in the top tier, playing the likes of Campbell and Distin every week. Their football this season has been worthy of a return to those heights.
"They've had a fantastic start, an unbelievable start,” said Johnson. “If you get a run of 10 or so wins on the trot you’re going to be in a very strong position.
“We've got to worry about us. It's not a six pointer, but we've got to make sure we pick up the points so we're up near the play-off spots where we want to be.
“There are more consistent teams (in the Championship) and Wolves are one of those, but they do have an off day. And if we can have a good day to coincide with their off day then we have a fantastic chance.”
The manager was pleased with his side’s performance against Portsmouth and has been boosted by news that the back spasms which forced fans’ favourite Cole Skuse off in the second half should not prevent him turning out on Saturday.
“Just listening to the TV and radio after the Portsmouth game our supporters seemed to be quite happy with the effort we've put in and the way we're playing,” he said.
Johnson will be shunning all media in the run up to today’s match though as City adjust to a later kick-off time of 5.20pm. He said: "We try and keep ourselves away from the TV and radio for the scores. That can sort of affect you as you can find yourselves dropping down the league a couple of places even though you haven't played."
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