Past results are no guarantee of future performance but

Bristol City are on a high and, instead of a distraction from

the league, their Carling Cup tie against Crewe tonight

represents an opportunity to enjoy themselves some more.

At the front of the queue will be record-signing Nicky

Maynard who returns to the club which schooled him in the art

of scoring.

Whether he would celebrate a goal at his old ground remains

a moot point but City fans can rest assured he won't be doing

his old team-mates any favours.

He said: "I couldn't have asked for a better tie, especially

going back so soon, but hopefully I'll come out a winner.

"I've never been away from Crewe so whatever happens on the

night we'll just see what my emotions are like.

"Celebrations depend on the state of the game."

The 21-year-old is not the only former Crewe trainee in

City's squad. Dele Adebola, 13 years his senior, also began his

career with the Railwaymen.

He said: "It's been a long time since I played for them but

you still go back there with fond memories. It's an interesting

tie for me.

"They've got a lot of the same coaching staff from when I

was there, and Dario (Gradi) of course."

The 33-year-old rose to the occasion on his return to

another old club, Coventry City, on Saturday and is likely to

be rested tonight, leaving Maynard to write the headlines.

But he stressed the importance of maintaining City's

unbeaten run.

"You want to win as many games as you can no matter what

side the manager puts out," he said. "It's about winning games.

If you're losing games, even if they're not as important you

can get into a little rut and you don't want that at this stage

of the season.

"If you're winning, or not getting beat, you want to keep it

going in all competitions."

Crewe upset Championship side Barnsley 2-0 in the first

round, although their victory was reliant on two strikes from

the penalty spot.

Adebola said: "It's sometimes the League One sides that

provide the sterner opposition as they are very big games for

them. It's a test for them against higher league opposition and

you usually find it's the Championship sides who rest

players.

"I'm sure (Nicky) will enjoy it regardless. I'm sure they

will give him a good reception. If he can get a goal or two and

not celebrate then it will be a good day for him."

Maynard was in buoyant mood after City's 3-0 demolition of

Coventry at the Ricoh Arena and believes that if City can get

past Crewe they could cause an upset in the third round.

He said: "At the moment the dressing room's buzzing and we

reckon we could beat anyone on our day whether it be a higher

Championship or a lower Premiership team.

"(Adebola) was the main striker when I was at the Crewe

academy. Obviously I looked up to him while I was there and

hopefully we can show what we learnt off them and use it

against them."

City have been linked with Bolton forward Heidar Helguson

but sources say a move is unlikely as he is still recovering

from a hernia operation earlier this summer.