The next attempt to find a suitable mentor for the team finally succeeded in 1981. Credibility, which was enough for the next 7 years (with a break in 1983–84), get Vladimir Mikhailov, in past well-known football player of Moscow Torpedo. Mikhailov invited to Rubin striker Vadim Popov, who immediately set to work – 20 goals in his debut season. At the gate of Gorky's "Volga" Vadim scored 4 goals – the second "poker", made by a player in our team (first in 1958, distinguished Gennady Berezin). In the final table in 1981, Rubin was in 5th place.