Cotterill Praises Slade's Work

Slade took over the reins from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer just over a year ago and has a win percentage of 39%, despite having to lift a club that was struggling to come to terms with dropping out of the Premier League.

“He’s done a very good job,” Cotterill told Bristol City Player HD.

“Russell has had to go in there and trim the budget down. I think it was astronomical before he went in there – off the scale really.

“I knew Russell would do well because he did the same thing at Leyton Orient, Brighton and all the other clubs he’s been at before.

“That doesn’t mean I don’t want to beat him!”

The derby element of tonight’s game is one that had escaped Cotterill before sitting down with the press last week.

“You say it’s a derby,” he said. “The only derby I know involving Bristol City is against Bristol Rovers really.

“It doesn’t matter anyway; whether it’s a derby game or not, we want to play well and win.”

City are hoping Korey Smith will overcome illness to take his place in the squad.