He was linked with the manager's job at Burnley in January of this year, but in 2000, following our promotion, he was very much a target for Stan Ternent but opted for a move from Rangers to West Brom.
McInnes recently replaced Keith Millen and this will be his fourth game in charge of a side currently next to bottom in the league. Ahead of the game he said: "If we're going to progress and get to where we want to be then we have to enjoy playing in front of our supporters. To do that we need to be winning games at Ashton Gate.
"We saw how important the support can be on the road, with a small contingent at Barnsley and a large number at West Ham, both equally vocal. We want to try and generate that here, but it works two ways; the fans have to like what they see on the pitch and equally the players need that backing.
"I'm sure if the players continue to put in the efforts like they have been doing then together we can make it an afternoon to enjoy."
Eddie Howe has seen the Clarets win and lose at home in the last week and that's how things have been for much of the season. "We are not the only ones to be very inconsistent," he said before setting off for the South West.
"I think you'll probably hear that word said more than anything throughout the league. Teams can go on mini-runs of two, three and then they'll get beaten. We join a lot of teams probably frustrated by their form and I think every manager now is trying to get that consistency.
"It is a really, really tight league. Two wins and we could be in the top six. We do have a game in hand still so it can change quickly, but you look at the table now and our current position and we are not happy."
He continued: "You look at Bristol City's league position and say it's a really good chance for us to get three points, but it's going to be a really tough game. They haven't won at home this year, they are under a new manager and it's going to be a really difficult game for us.
"They have had their problems this year but they are on the back of a great away point at West Ham so they are going to think they are on the up and have a new mentality. We've got to make sure we approach the game as we have our previous away games, where I feel we've look a threat.
"We've won three games away from home already this year and I'd love to make it four. It's a really, really important game for us. We go into a two week break after this and we'd love to win the game.
"I think it would push us right up the table and with that game in hand things would look very healthy."