Wright braced for QPR clash as relegation looms
Australia defender Bailey Wright is preparing for two "massive" games in four days which could go a long way to determining the fate of struggling Bristol City.
The Robins - for whom Wright signed from Preston North End during the January window - are four points clear of the dreaded drop zone with five matches left and in the fight of their lives to stay up.
But Bristol can go a long way to securing its safety by taking three points from fellow Socceroo Massimo Luongo's Queens Park Rangers on Saturday (AEST) at home and then holding out Blackburn Rovers - the team immediately below it in 22nd spot - three days later.
The 24 year-old takes solace from his team's destiny lying in its own hands, but there is little margin for error.
"These two games are massive for us ... we know where we are in the league and every game we're going into is vital," he said.
"We can catch some of the team's ahead of us, and we can also be caught.
"QPR's huge for us but our home form's been good of late, and we need that to continue."
While former club Preston is flying, and an outside chance of making the playoffs, Wright's experience at the Robins thus far has been turbulent to say the least.
That was highlighted last week, when the Robins were routed 5-0 in a forgettable return to Deepdale for Wright.
"It was a disappointing night ... it was an interesting and different experience for me," he said.
"It wasn't the way I saw things going but you have to get on with it.
"Before and afterwards I got a good reception from the fans. I'd like to say I enjoyed going back there but that's not possible when you get a result like that.
"Preston are making a late push for the playoffs and I wish them all the best and I wouldn't be surprised if they can sneak in there."
Wright, though, has more pressing priorities.
"We know what it takes and what we're good at, which we showed in beating Wolves 3-1 last weekend," he said.
"We know the pressure is on and we need to embrace that and enjoy that.
"We need to focus on ourselves and the good thing is it's all down to us ... we're not depending on the results of other teams."
Wright has no doubt that Bristol - despite its wildly erratic performances - possesses the calibre to ride the escalator to safety.
"We know we have the quality and sometimes that hasn't got us what we've deserved," he said.
"Sometimes it's down to a bit of determination and hard work and fight. That's what we showed against Wolves.
"Technical ability is a bonus - but right now it's about scrapping for every minute of the 90."
Though QPR has little to play for, Wright is remaining vigilant.
"That can go either way," he said. "They can play without pressure or their heads can be in the wrong place.
"It's focusing on what we can do."
