Hartlepool United defender insists Pools will 'keep believing' in play-off prospects
Hartlepool United defender Cameron John insists Pools will "keep believing" in their National League play-off prospects.
Having moved within striking distance of the top seven by beating big-spending rivals Carlisle United towards the end of last month, Pools lost significant ground in the race for the play-offs following back-to-back home defeats at the hands of Sutton United and Halifax Town.
Although Pools did at least return to winning ways by grinding out a 1-0 victory over bottom club Truro City last time out, the gap between Nicky Featherstone's side and Southend United, who are the current occupants of the coveted seventh spot, and eighth placed Halifax has widened significantly of late.
The Shrimpers in particular have been on an impressive run of form, with the Essex outfit beating league leaders Rochdale in the week to extend their unbeaten run to six matches; Kevin Maher's side look to be in the driving seat in the race for the last remaining play-off place, with Southend seven points clear of Pools having played a game fewer.
Halifax, too, have opened up a cushion between themselves and Pools; the Shaymen, who beat Featherstone's side 1-0 earlier this month thanks to a late goal from the prolific Will Harris, have a five-point advantage.
Pools, then, look to be rank outsiders for a place in the top seven but John, who has enjoyed an impressive campaign on loan from title-chasing York City, insists his side haven't given up hope.
If Pools are to have any realistic chance of finishing in the play-offs, then Featherstone's side will likely have to take maximum points from their next three games, beginning with Saturday's visit of an Eastleigh side who are still not safe from the threat of relegation and have endured a tumultuous campaign so far; Richard Hill returned for a fourth spell at the Silverlake Stadium last month, the third manager to take charge of the Spitfires this term.
From there, Pools travel to a Morecambe side who are fourth from bottom but have been in excellent form under Jim Bentley of late before taking on Wealdstone, who are safely ensconced in mid-table but have recently been embroiled in something of a scandal after claiming that midfielder Sak Hassan took part in the Baller League without prior consent.
The next three matches are made all the more important by the fact that Pools look to have an extremely challenging end to the season, taking on Scunthorpe United, Rochdale, Boreham Wood, Forest Green Rovers and Southend - all teams in the top eight - before finishing the campaign against Boston United, who have been in fine form since the return of experienced manager Paul Hurst.
"You've got to feel as though it's still possible," John told BBC Radio Tees Sport.
"If we don't keep believing, then what are these nine games really there for?
"You want to keep competing, anyone can beat anyone in this league - we saw it in midweek, a lot of people didn't think Southend would beat Rochdale.
"We've got nine games to go, nine cup finals. Whatever happens, happens but there's a real belief and a real chance that we can still do it.
"There's not really any pressure on us anymore - it's all on Southend, they've got the games in hand and Halifax are in a good position too.
"All the pressure's on them, so we can go about our business quite quietly and see what happens."