McDonald: I'm convinced Blackpool will stay up

With just four games left, the fourth-bottom Seasiders look to be in a desperate position in the drop zone, particularly as their only remaining home game is against leaders Wigan.

At least Blackpool were boosted by Oldham’s 2-1 defeat at Barnsley last night, which means the Latics remain just two points above Pool and one above Fleetwood, though they still have a game in hand on the Seasiders.

But even though the odds are still stacked against them, McDonald is backing his team to pull off a great escape.

“I still think this team will stay up,” he insisted. “It can change very quickly and we have to believe that.

“We’ve been below the line before and we’ve always responded. Hopefully the players will again on Saturday.”

That’s when Blackpool travel to Rochdale, who are unbeaten at home since February and have faint hopes of a late play-off push.

Anything but a win for Dale would effectively end their season, while Blackpool go into the clash on the back of a terrible display at home to Colchester.

And McDonald is hoping that 1-0 setback will give his players a much-needed wake-up call. He said: “We have to believe that last weekend was a one-off and just a poor performance from us.

“Hopefully it refocuses our minds ahead of the Rochdale game. I think the league positions will change between now and the end of the season.

“We have to try to just look after ourselves.I’m convinced we will be OK.

“We’ll be working hard on the training ground to make sure we can get back on track now.”

Pool will be hoping they can rely on their much-improved away form – they have won two games on the bounce away from Bloomfield Road.

A win would give everyone a boost after a difficult week, and McDonald has backed his players to respond.

“We’ve won the last two away from home, so hopefully it will work in our favour with three of the four remaining games away,” he said.

“We’ll have to regroup now, work hard on the training ground and go to Rochdale looking to get points.”