Swansea City's commitment to controlling games by controlling the ball has waned at various points in recent years.
Different managers have brought different ideas, with some less interested than others in dominating possession.
Swansea first became known - in the modern era at least - as a team who would pass their way to points after Roberto Martinez was appointed as the Welsh club's manager in 2007.
Martinez's revolution began a spectacular spell in Swansea's history which led to seven years in the Premier League, a first major trophy and a European adventure under Michael Laudrup.
The club then lost their way, with their style becoming less attractive as they struggled to survive at the highest level.
Since relegation in 2018, Swansea have had seven permanent bosses.
Some have been desperate to play the kind of possession-heavy football which brought some memorable days under Martinez, Brendan Rodgers and Laudrup, while some have been less convinced about the merits of bossing the ball.
Vitor Matos' first priority when he took over in November was to improve Swansea out of possession, with the Portuguese keen to implement the sort of pressing game which brought his old boss Jurgen Klopp success at Liverpool.
But as Derby boss John Eustace pointed out, there are definite signs now of what Matos wants in possession – and they must look familiar to Swansea's fans.
Saturday's defeat at Pride Park brought back memories of some of the early days of the Martinez era, with Swansea outplaying their opponents for a long spell, failing to take advantage and eventually paying the price.
Martinez's team got there in the end.
Swansea supporters must hope the story turns out to be similar for Matos' current crop.