Head coach Sabri Lamouchi is confident Nottingham Forest could achieve “big things” with the kind of stability their opponents on Saturday have enjoyed.
Lee Johnson has been in charge of Bristol City since February 2016, making him one of the longest serving bosses across the Premier League and Football League.
The Reds, by contrast, have seen three managers this year alone, with Lamouchi taking up the hotseat in June, following on from Aitor Karanka and Martin O’Neill.
The Frenchman has made a fine start to life at the City Ground, leading Forest to fifth in the Championship table as they return to action after the international break.
The Robins sit just below them, level on points but separated by goal difference - and Lamouchi says that is an example of the benefit of giving people time.
“We are two similar clubs. They have invested a lot and have good players,” the Reds chief said.
“Come next February, their manager will have worked with mostly the same players and the same squad for almost four years.
“With that kind of stability he has been able to build a good project.
“They have a mission to go up, and they are doing well.”
Asked what he thought he could achieve on the banks of the Trent if given a similar timeframe, Lamouchi said: “I am sure with this club, this community, these fans and this nice atmosphere, me or another one can build big things.
“But I am not a dreamer.
“Before the end of this year we have nine games to play - three next week - I just want to focus on Bristol City, then after that a second away game at QPR, then Cardiff at home, who have changed their manager.
“My schedule is very, very busy and I just want to focus on the results, on the team and the next game.”
He added: “For me, if you want to challenge in this league, you need a little bit of stability.
“With more stability, with quality and with a good philosophy, you have more chance.”
City have lost just once at Ashton Gate this term, when they fell 3-1 against Leeds United on the opening day.
It leaves Lamouchi well aware of the challenge his side will face as they look to pick up from where they left off, having registered back-to-back wins against Luton Town and Derby County before the two-week respite.
“We know it will be tough because they have only lost the first game (of the season) at home,” Lamouchi said.
“I remember their first game, it was against Leeds. It was a bad start for them - like we had - at home (against West Bromwich Albion), but they haven’t lost another game at home since.
“We know we will face a good team with good players.The way their manager wants to play is good and they have had some good results at home and away.
“They are a tough team to play at home, but also away, because they have had some good results.
“They are a good team with a great manager and good players.
“We will face a tough game. It is not easy to play there and get a good result.”
Lamouchi, though, is eager to build some momentum heading towards what can often be a crucial festive period.
“It is important to get as many points as you can, and to be ready physically, but also mentally - to be fresh,” he said.
“We have a lot of games to play and some long trips - to Bristol, then back on the bus and then on Tuesday to London for QPR.
“Now it is just game-recovery, game-recovery.
“We need to be very clever and manage who plays less or not, to be ready in case we need them.”
