John Coleman has full respect for Rochdale's new boss Brian Barry-Murphy and knows how big tonight's game is for both teams.
Stanley and Dale are one of a number of teams fighting for League One survival as the season enters its latter stages.
Barry-Murphy was appointed full-time Rochdale boss last week after a spell as caretaker, following the departure of Keith Hill at the beginning of March.
It's the former Preston and Bury midfielder's first role in management after stepping up into a coaching position under Hill at the Crown Oil Arena.
Of the five games under Barry-Murphy, Rochdale have won two, drawn two and only lost to a late Sunderland goal on Saturday.
"Rochdale have picked up under Brian Barry-Murphy and he is a great lad," said Coleman, who managed at Dale for a year in 2012.
"He is a really good footballing person and he is one of the few who tried to understand and appreciate what we did at Rochdale.
"Rochdale have picked up since BBM has taken over and he has made an impact.
"They have threats from all over and they will be disappointed with the season they have had but they have the chance to get out of it, like us.
"People might bill this as a 'not lose' game but I don't like that. I think it gives the mindset of fear and negativity and then you do not express yourself, take risks or take chances and I do not want my teams to play like that."