"We may need to freshen it up" were the words from Nigel Pearson after Saturday's defeat.
The City manager criticised some of his players for not being up to the standards they have shown in other matches this season and with a hectic run of fixtures, changes are inevitable to take on Coventry on Tuesday.
They'll be decisions to make in midfield with the manager forced to reshuffle the pack while Saturday's performance from a defensive perspective could see Pearson provide an opportunity for one or two other names to stake their claims.
Either way, Pearson will be demanding a response from his players after making note of their lack of character and desire against QPR. They head into the game on the back of three consecutive defeats but Coventry proved they will be no pushovers after beating Middlesbrough on Saturday - contributing to Chris Wilder's sacking on Monday morning.
Here's how we think City will shape up to take on Mark Robins' side.
Goalkeeper and defence
Dan Bentley had little chance with QPR's goals on Saturday and will feel unfortunate to have conceded the first after his save came back off the post. The City captain was called upon numerous times in the second half and stood up to the test and he must feel desperately frustrated with the defensive errors in front of him.
Before Saturday, Bentley did keep three consecutive clean sheets at home and they'll be extra motivation to keep former City player Kasey Palmer quiet this evening who will be determined to get one over his former club.
He'll start in goal and with Pearson limited for options in front of him, it's likely to be the same back three. Kal Naismith and Rob Atkinson in particular had difficult afternoons against QPR but with Timm Klose likely to remain absent and Tomas Kalas out, the manager will stick with the same trio.
After the game against QPR, he said: "No we don't have (many options) they'll have to play through it I'm afraid." There's no greater evidence than that.
If Pearson wanted to, he could bring George Tanner into the right side of defence. Although not his natural position, he did play there against Wycombe in the Carabao Cup and also for the Under-21s in a victory over Sheffield Wednesday but Zak Vyner will feel he deserves to keep his place in the side.
Wing-backs and midfield
Here's where it could get interesting. We'll begin with the wing-backs and one of the changes could see Mark Sykes come out following Saturday's performance.
It was a difficult day at the office for the former Oxford United man and his lack of experience in the wing-back role was exposed by the likes of Ilias Chair and Chris Willock who exploited that space behind. He was also caught out on the overlap for the second goal when Kenneth Paal's delivery was turned in.
In fairness to Sykes, it was a rare bad afternoon with the new signing largely impressing having made the step up leagues in an unfamiliar position. It does leave a lingering doubt, however, that opposition managers know they can target City down that side especially when Sykes drifts into an advanced position.
Pearson said he will "freshen things up" against Coventry and Sykes may come to the bench even if he does have credit in the bank for his previous performances. Kane Wilson could be the obvious stand-in as he looks for his first league start of the season.
The wing-back came on for the final 17 minutes against Coventry and got himself in some good crossing positions but there was nothing of note from his own performance to suggest he deserves his opportunity on Tuesday. He also looked tired in the final five minutes which could be owed to his lack of match fitness since joining the club from Forest Green.
It's difficult to assess the player considering how little he has played and while there's little doubt over his attacking quality, it will be interesting to see how he performs from a defensive perspective if he does get the opportunity. If he earns a start, he'll be determined to pass the audition and retain his place ahead of a return to the Midlands on Saturday.
Tanner's also a very viable option and would offer a more defensive resilience. Considering the performance on Saturday, Pearson could be tempted to bring him into the frame in an attempt to shore up the defence and limit the space that Vyner will have to cover.
On the left, Jay Dasilva will undoubtedly start again. He wasn't alone in not having the greatest of showings on Saturday but with Cam Pring out of favour in Pearson's plans, the former Chelsea man will be keen to make amends.
If one thing is for certain then there will be changes in the centre of midfield. Matty James will miss out with a groin injury and could be back for the weekend trip to Birmingham and Alex Scott is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.
That means Han-Noah Massengo is almost certain to make his first league start since the 3-3 draw with Blackpool when he came off at half-time and Pearson will have to make a decision on who starts alongside him. The manager has been reluctant to play Joe Williams in two games within four days considering his recent history of hamstring injuries.
That leaves Andy King who could start alongside the Frenchman. The duo did feature regularly together during pre-season including in the friendly against Plymouth where they threatened to be overrun.
King's defensive attributes do allow Massengo to press forward but Andi Weimann's role could be key. He may have to sacrifice some of his attacking qualities to drop further back to add some extra mobility in the middle.
Youngster Dylan Kadji is also an option and looks set to be named in the squad after he was left out of the Under-21's draw with Millwall on Monday. He started and scored in his professional debut against Wycombe but he'll likely come off the bench should he feature in his first league outing on Tuesday.
Another possibility would be to bring Sykes into the middle but Pearson seemed reluctant to entertain the idea on Saturday when asked. He said: "I think for somebody like Mark Sykes who is making a step up, I don't want to pile too much responsibility on him.
"I think he's done pretty well so far this season in a role that he's adapted to very quickly."
Strikers
It's been relatively simple to pick the front three in recent weeks with Andi Weimann, Nahki Wells and Tommy Conway deservedly keeping their places in the side.
Today's contest could see a switch in attack with Antoine Semenyo ready to make his first start of the season. Pearson admitted on Thursday that he's ready to lead the line from the off following his shin injury but he was introduced on 45 minutes against QPR.
His introduction did spark City's attack into life for the first 20 minutes with his driving runs forward but he drifted out of the game when he was pushed out to the right when Chris Martin was substituted on following Wells' goal.
Conway didn't get much joy against QPR's defence and would have been reeling at his decision to go for goal instead of squaring to Wells in the first half. The youngster also started on the back of two starts for Scotland U21s and Pearson may feel a rest could do him good with seven further matches pencilled in for October.
If Semenyo does come in, he'll likely replace Conway with Wells continuing to enjoy a terrific streak in front of goal. He's scored five in his last five matches and assisted against Norwich.
Weimann was another who struggled on Saturday and was at fault for QPR's opener but it's unlikely Pearson will leave him out of the side. He'll undoubtedly play behind the front two and he'll feel he's overdue a goal having failed to score since the 1-1 draw with Wigan eight games ago.
Pearson dropped a hint that Sam Bell could be involved for the first time this season after he was left out of the U21s draw with Millwall on Monday. But that leaves competition for a place in the squad alongside Semenyo, Conway, Wells, Weimann and Chris Martin so one familiar face could drop out.
Bristol City (3-4-1-2): Dan Bentley; Zak Vyner, Kal Naismith, Rob Atkinson; George Tanner, Andy King, Han-Noah Massengo, Jay Dasilva; Andi Weimann; Antoine Semenyo, Nahki Wells
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