Throughout Europe, there are numerous clubs steeped in history and tradition that have lumbered on without success for many years. But there may not be another club with such history that has underachieved on a level greater than Spartak Moscow since the early 2000s.

Spartak now sit on top of the pile in Russia with a four-point gap over city-rivals CSKA Moscow. The red and white army are hopeful of achieving their first title in fifteen years, which is a disastrous feet for one of the country's biggest clubs. Dmitri Alenichev resigned as first-team manager following the team's exit from Europa League qualification and with Massimo Carrera at the helm, Spartak have become the most formidable team Russia once again.

Since their last title success in 2001, Moscow have only claimed a Russian Cup title - unacceptable for a club with so much history in the Russian and Soviet game. Between 1992 and 2001, the club claimed 8 titles in 9 years to mark the most successful spell in their 94-year history.

Fans have been deprived of success since the 2003 season when they won the Russian domestic cup, the second highest honour in Russian football today.

Since then, the club’s highest finish was second place in 2012 and whilst their last trophy success was in 2003,  CSKA Moscow have won seventeen major honours, Zenit St. Petersburg have also claimed eleven trophies and Lokomotiv have been victorious on four occasions. For a club steeped in history, there’s no surprise discontent amongst the fans has been ever-present for nearly fifteen years.

Massimo Carrera is the man charged with the impossible task of toppling the other Moscow clubs. Unfortunately, however, it’s not only Moscow clubs that rule the roost in Russian football anymore. The extremely wealthy Zenit St. Petersburg have established a squad that has achieved domestic success and captured a Europa League title in 2008.

The league's popularity continues to grow on an annual basis due to the influx of foreign stars. Spartak have been no exception when it comes to foreign purchases either, with Quincy Promes and midfielder Fernando seen as the keys to unlocking the door to success.

Promes especially has gained a number of plaudits for his displays in Russia and has become a regular feature in the Dutch national side. His goals for Spartak over the past number of years have proved invaluable at times and now entering the prime of his career, the Dutch forward is keen to push the club towards their first league title since 2001.

This season, however, it's not only Promes who is taking the headlines. During the summer, Spartak went toe-to-toe with AC Milan for Sampdoria's Brazilian midfielder Fernando. The uncertainty in Milan saw Moscow complete an impressive €12million deal. Fernando has been capped 8 times by Brazil and has now added the necessary steel to Moscow's midfield.

Massimo Carrera was Antonio Conte's number 2 at both Juventus and Italy before making the move to Russia this summer. With his style similar to that of Conte, Moscow have now gone the season undefeated thus far. Just two goals conceded and scoring an average of two goals per game makes them the clear favourites for the title with a third of the season almost gone.

Rubin Kazan were the last outfit to topple the duo of Zenit and CSKA back in 2009, when they claimed the Russian Premier League title, but no side has started a season more impressive in recent years.

With Spartak, people need to take everything with a pinch of salt; they are known for capitulating mid-season. Just like at the beginning of the campaign, the club will almost be ready for an unexpected curtail of form. Alenichev's departure shocked many at the club as his good work came undone when he resigned in early August, after defeat to Larnaca, with the club top of the domestic league.

It must also be mentioned that the form of Promes may see potential suitors emerge in the Premier League or Bundesliga. Russian football is not exactly where young players dream of making their name and with his ability, Promes certainly has the credentials to become a success in either leagues.

Manager Massimo Carrera's wife was apparently unhappy at his decision to make the move from Turin to Moscow this summer and should an Italian club come calling, we may see a decision being made by his better half on his future with the impending and notorious Russian winter incoming.

23 games remain this season and should Spartak Moscow maintain their impressive start to the campaign, surly we will see an end to their drought and a potential return to the glory years they basked in during late 1990s.

Times have changed since then and success normally brings in an element of failure, which could see key players and coaching staff depart. But should the club manage to hold onto it's prized assets, who knows what the Red Army could achieve by the end of the season.