MATT Hewlett is determined to pile more misery on to Brian Tinnion's managerial shoulders as Town look to end their Ashton Gate losing streak.
The pair were once midfield colleagues but that will count for absolutely nothing come 3pm tomorrow afternoon.
Tinnion has yet to record a victory as a player-manager and the Town captain is anxious not to hand him that pleasure.
The new City boss has been a major thorn in Town's side in recent clashes at Ashton Gate and Hewlett hopes Tinnion will focus on his managerial rather than playing duties on this occasion.
"I'd rather Brian was worrying about the coaching side from the bench rather than being on the pitch.
"He always seems to do well against us.
"I imagine it's difficult to mix managing and playing but he was one of the fittest people when I was there and he's not someone who has a problem in getting his point across," said Hewlett.
Hewlett's first return to the club he joined at the age of 11 resulted in a 1-0 win for Town in September 2000, Alan Reeves the scorer that day, but there has been precious little to celebrate from away days to Ashton Gate since.
He said: "We haven't had the best of luck there and we'll be looking to put that right. It's always nice to go back as I've a lot of fond memories.
"Having said that I was delighted I made the move here.
"Bristol City is a big club but so is this one.
"There have been some ups and downs but I wouldn't turn back time."
Memories will always be there to cherish but Hewlett's focus is firmly on the future.
He said: "Generally we haven't got going so far this year but there's no better occasion to get back the spark that's been missing.
"We got the three points we needed last week and it's important we now push on and keep things going.
"Let's make this a start and try and put together an unbeaten run as we did last season.
"It is only three games in and there's no reason to start panicking now.
"If you're still down there after 10 to 15 games that's when you know there's a problem.
"It's a derby, there'll be a big crowd and there's no excuses not being ready for this one.
"If you don't enjoy an occasion like this then you shouldn't be involved.
"What we have to do is go there in the right frame of mind and make sure we do our individual jobs correctly."
Victory is the captain's main aim but there is no doubt that it would be a special moment if he could conjure the winner tomorrow.
He said: "It would be lovely to score at Ashton Gate. Scoring goals is something I need to improve on and hopefully I can chip in with more than the three I managed last year."
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