McDonald: The pressure is on Fleetwood, not us

Blackpool are at Peterborough tomorrow (12.30pm) knowing anything short of a win would see them relegated to League Two.

Should they beat Peterborough, only a defeat for Fleetwood at home to Crewe would see Pool avoid the drop.

And with many already writing off the Seasiders, McDonald believes it’s the Cod Army who should be feeling the strain.

“The pressure is on Fleetwood now,” said the Blackpool boss. “They’ve got everything to lose and we have everything to gain.

“What’s important is we don’t let them off the hook by not winning our game at Peterborough.

“Walsall did us a favour which is great and we hope Crewe’s win against Doncaster sends them into Sunday’s game looking to finish the season well. Then we have to go and win our game.”

Blackpool go into tomorrow having failed to score in any of their last four games.

And after Wigan hammered McDonald’s men 4-0 at Bloomfield Road last weekend, many claimed they were always dead and buried.

But McDonald says that was never the case, insisting: “I actually didn’t think that was it last Saturday.

“Everyone assumed Fleetwood were already safe but that isn’t the case. We have to be confident Crewe can go there and get a result.

“Crewe won last week and should be full of confidence with no worries, hopefully Fleetwood show the sort of nerves they’ve shown in the last few games. If Crewe can take advantage of those nerves then we have to do our bit.”

After another terrible season it’s not expected Pool’s fans will travel in great numbers to Peterborough tomorrow, although as many as 500 are expected.

And McDonald wants them to believe they can somehow pull off a miracle escape.

“Keep on believing until it’s all over, that’s all we ask,” he said.

“We have a glimmer of hope and we must hang onto that. It’s so important we win the game and don’t let anyone off the hook.”

Blackpool travelled south yesterday with an almost fully fit squad, with only Mark Cullen (torn hamstring) missing from last weekend.