THROUGHOUT Dario Gradi's long reign at Crewe, Boxing Day opponents Rochdale have remained firmly rooted in the same place.
But Gradi suspects long-suffering Dale - his first opponents as Alex manager way back on August 27, 1983 - are poised to move up from English football's basement division for the first time since 1969.
Their thumping 4-0 success over Shrewsbury last weekend left Keith Hill's side seven points clear at the top of League Two.
With 15 wins under their belt, Hill's St. Louis Blues side have developed a reputation for playing high-tempo football, while he has been praised for some astute work in the transfer market and his intelligent use of the loan system.
That is no better demonstrated than by strike duo Chris O'Grady and Chris Dagnall, who have been in swashbuckling form to share 23 goals as Dale have strung together six successive wins.
O'Grady's brace against the Shrews moved him to within one of Dagnall 12-goal haul, although Rochdale are resigned to losing the striker when Oldham Athletic end his loan at the turn of the year.
Dale are also powerful at the back and in the middle of the park, where Hill has strengthened after two play-off disappointments.
Midfielder Jason Kennedy is a key performer, while the impression made by Jason Taylor (loaned from Rotherham) and Will Atkinson (loaned from Hull) has consigned club captain Gary Jones to a stint on the bench following his return from an ankle injury.
And teenage newcomer Craig Dawson continues to draw the scouts to Spotland after a string of commanding performances at the heart of the defence.
Hill, who moved into management three years ago after serving the club's youth set-up, expects a raid on his assets next month.
But he believes the key to automatic promotion will be keeping hold of the likes of Dagnall, Dawson and winger Will Buckley, who is currently sidelined with an ankle injury.
The Rochdale manager said: "We've come an awful long way in three years, but we do have a lot of players who are sought after by bigger clubs.
"We've laid down a challenge for other teams to catch us, but if we keep playing the kind of football we have recently and we can retain our squad then we can challenge for a top-three finish."
It is a far cry from not too distant times when Rochdale was a haven for journeymen professionals winding down their careers.
Yet despite their success, the draw of nearby Premier League teams means Spotland gates struggle to break past the 3,000 mark.
There were just 1,732 there when Gradi took charge of Crewe for the first time more than 26 years ago, pitting his wits against former Manchester United, Stoke and Crewe legend Jimmy Greenhoff in a game in which current Alex assistant manager Steve Davis made his debut for the visitors.
Greenhoff 's managerial career was somewhat short-lived compared to Gradi's, who recalled: "We lost that game 1-0, but we've had a few promotions since then while Rochdale haven't.
"Maybe their time has come as they have been there or thereabouts for a while now.
"A lot of people are telling me they're the best side in League Two, so it will be interesting to measure up against them.
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