Queens Park Rangers boss’ three-word message to Bristol City and Nigel Pearson’s response

Queens Park Rangers boss Michael Beale is up for the challenge against Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Saturday.

The Championship resumes as he takes his Hoops side to the West Country with over 1,900 fans backing them, despite a national train strike.

For the last fortnight, international football has taken priority with a pause on the domestic season at the ten-game stage of the second tier.

With the first international period over, QPR are right back amongst it and take on a City side that are three places below them with just a point separating them.

Spirits amongst City’s opponents are high however and the Loftus Road-based side are up for the challenge that awaits them in Nigel Pearson’s men.

“Hopefully we come back from the international break in a strong place,” he said to West London Sport.

“We play Bristol City and Sheffield United away and Reading home within six days of coming back – bring it on.

“They’re up there and I think we’re at the stage where we want to face every team in this league head-on. We’ve shown we can do that if we’re at our best.”

Former Chelsea youth defender Jake Clarke-Salter, who played for City’s inter-city rivals Bristol Rovers, is working hard to get himself back in to contention.

He is back in training and featured for QPR’s Under-21’s in a bid to improve his fitness. Clarke-Salter could play a part in the city that he plied his trade in for a short period, before making Loftus Road his permanent home this summer.

Former City winger Albert Adomah is set for a return to the ground he was adored for a period of his career also.

Adomah at 34-years-of-age, remains a consistent figure for the London side, though 10 of his league appearances have come as a substitute.

“The players are starting to understand some of the ideas and we’re starting to get everyone fit and getting the relationships on the pitch.” the ex-Aston Villa assistant added.

“We’ve made good signings and we want everybody fit.”

As Beale send a rallying cry to the opposition, City manager Nigel Pearson expects Saturday’s opponents to be in the promotion picture come the business end of the season.

Beale is in to the first few months of his managerial career with QPR, succeeding Mark Warburton, who has since become a coach at West Ham United.

Speaking to Robins TV on Wednesday afternoon, he said: “They’re a good Championship side who will be there or thereabouts and I’m sure will be involved in the promotion race.

“They’ve had some issues over the last few years in terms of trying to control their financial situation. “I think, when you consider Mark Warburton has a fiscal pass, let’s put it like that, I think he worked very hard with Lee Hoos and Les Ferdinand to rectify that situation.

“They are a club that will always continue to be competitive at this level, but of course their aspirations are to get back to the Premier League.

“It will be a tough game, but as I always try and point out, we are aware of what our opponents are about.

“The big thing for me is if we can sustain our levels of performance and if our players are as driven as they have been so far this season, then we’ve got a chance of winning any game we play.“