Bristol City Coach Nigel Pearson believes the midfield battle will be key as City get back to SkyBet Championship action when they face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday (3pm).
After a narrow 1-0 defeat at Ashton Gate in the Emirates FA Cup last weekend, City travel to Craven Cottage as they return to league action.
Pearson's side put on a committed and spirited display against the Lilywhites and will be hoping to match that this weekend and make it six wins on the bounce at Fulham's home ground.
A sold-out away end awaits the Robins on Saturday as 1,687 City fans travel to West London to see their side take on the second-placed side.
And the City manager believes the midfield battle will be key in this fixture as the Reds look to put on a similar display to their last performance and hold their own against a strong Marco Silva side that put seven past Reading at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Tuesday.
Speaking to Robins TV, Pearson said: "We have to get the balance right in the middle, we need some creativity and some know-how but we also need a destructive element as well.
"I think it's fair to say we've not been a side that parks the bus in front of the goal but I would like us to develop that so we can get positive results in different ways.
"We have got to find our own way of getting performances, of late we have been pretty brave with the ball in and out of possession.
"We have some selection dilemmas going into the game but it's a good problem to have. We'll make decisions on players who have knocks or slight problems and for those players who haven't played much lately it's really important that they take the opportunity to stake their claim."
Talking about this weekends opponents, Pearson said: "Looking at their game in midweek they have ramped up their performance. It's going to be a really tough game and I would expect them to play a similar system.
"We know with their full side out how tough of an opponent they will be but it's important we go into the game feeling confident and positive as I think they'll be expecting a tough game. We'll have to be at our best to get something out of it."