Sunderland manager Jack Ross insists that he has enormous respect for his Rochdale counterpart Keith Hill, who he feels has done a great job in bringing his team to League One and then establishing them in the division.
The Black Cats will hope to get back to winning ways after last weekend's loss against Burton Albion when they host the Dale this weekend.
Ahead of the crucial fixture, Sunderland's 42-year-old manager took time to heap praise on Rochdale manager Hill, who has overseen two promotions for the team in his two spells as the boss.
"I have an enormous amount of respect for Keith Hill and everything he’s done there", Ross said at a press conference.
"His record in terms of gaining promotion and then establishing teams in this league is fantastic."
Rochdale won their last match against Gillingham 3-0 and are expected to be confident after the result. But Ross insists that his team have been ready for challenges every week and will be ready for this one as well.
"They had a great result last week and their away record is very good.
"I’ve said previously that we face challenges every week that is different to most teams in the week because you can see how much it means to everyone associated with the visiting clubs that have come.
"That’s not meant in a patronising manner.
"But you can see in the amount of supporters they bring, in the way they approach the game, they almost have cup final feels to them."
Ross however has urged Sunderland to make sure they up their game when facing challenges in League One.
"We have to deal better with the challenges we’re facing.
"Teams our approaching games in that manner and I expect Saturday to be no different.
"We have to be better to deal with it."
In spite of last weekend's loss, Sunderland are still placed fourth in the table, with 15 points from eight games.
