Pool set for '˜massive' Fleetwood clash

With the clubs deep in the League One relegation battle, both can make a huge step towards safety at Highbury this afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

And with that in mind McDonald knows what his side have to do – win.

“It’s a massive game for both teams,” he said.

“A win would put either team in a really good position and it’s a game we have to come out with a win. It all boils down to this afternoon now, that’s all that matters.

“It’s still in our own hands, if we win our three games then we are safe. We need to stay in League One.

“I could turn around and say we are in a false position but we are where we are and we have to deal with it.”

While defeat would not see Blackpool relegated, it would leave them having to win both of their remaining games and having to rely on results going their way elsewhere.

Pool currently sit two points behind Fleetwood and Shrewsbury, with the latter still boasting a game in hand.

Defeat today would see the gap between Pool and Fleetwood grow, but McDonald insists, whatever the case, his side won’t be dead and buried.

He said: “Win for Fleetwood would put them onto 50 points, but we could still get 51 points if we won our last two games.

“So it certainly won’t be over after Saturday, but whoever wins will be in a good position. It’s been very disappointing in the last couple of games but we have three games to put it right now.

“If we look on the positive side, it’s good we are still in it.

“After the Oldham game everyone had already relegated us but we are still battling away.

“The players were feeling sorry for themselves earlier on in the week, but they came in bouncing on Thursday and Friday.

“We have to look forward to the game, if we don’t then we aren’t going to play games.”

More than a thousand Pool fans are due to make the short trip up the coast this afternoon, with more protests expected against the club’s owners.

While Karl Oyston isn’t due to attend, both Owen and Sam Oyston are on the guest list and McDonald hopes everything passes smoothly.

“Hopefully we are just talking about the football, nothing else,” said the boss.