Well if the people of Rochdale have given up on the season, someone had better tell the players, because on today's performance, there is still an awful lot to play for this season with the play offs firmly on the horizon.
This was a fine performance by Dale who seemed to be in control for most of the match, and if this form can be reproduced in the remaining six games, you never know what might happen.
There were several of the Dale players who seemed to proving points this afternoon. Jason Peake responded to comments that he was slow and had a superb game and capped it with the first goal early in the game. Clive Platt was given his first start in over a month, and had a great game and looked the hundred grand striker that he is. He set up the first goal, and finished the game off by his first goal since December.
It was never going to be an easy game for either side, nor was it going to be a game that matched the classic encounter at the Vic earlier in the season. The pitch was never going to help either team with plenty of bobbles all over the place with a fair bit of sand on as well. It may have looked poor, but it is a far sight better than last year, and it won't be until next season that we see the full effects of the new groundsman.
As expected Tony Ellis was forced to miss the game following the groin strain he picked up against Torquay on Wednesday, meaning a return to first team action for Clive Platt. Also missing were the Dale supporters who once again failed to turn up. Fortunately, around 5-600 Hartlepool supporters came to Spotland taking the attendance comfortably past the 2000 figure. They also brought with them H'Angus the Monkey, a lively mascot who urged on the travelling support. United have started to make a big deal of the Monkey Hanging Legend, making it seem a bit pointless for Dale fans to make monkey comments at the away fans.
The game began brightly with both teams keen to make an early impression. Both teams have a reputation for starting games slowly, but today this was not the case. Clive Platt was visibly back in form, and the whole of the Dale team looked keen to wipe the Torquay match from the memories. The forward line was making it difficult for the Hartlepool defence, and Graham Lancashire was repeatedly tackled from behind.
Tony Ford came close to taking the lead for Dale when set clear of the defence but his effort was well saved by keeper Hollund. However, we didn't have to wait too long for the first goal. Clive Platt won the ball and raced towards the deadball line before putting over a super looping cross for Jason Peake to head the ball into the back of the net. Although the plaudits will go to Peake for scoring the goal, it was Platt who did most of the hard work in his run and cross to create the chance.
Hartlepool stepped up a gear but Dale defended well. Keith Hill had his best game in ages at the back, and formed a great partnership with both Evans and Bayliss. In fact they defended so well, that Neil Edwards in goal was untested throughout the entire match.
Dale, playing more direct that in recent games, withstood the pressure, and ended the half with a sustained spell in the Hartlepool penalty box. Gary Jones started the assault when he raced towards the area before letting go. It looked like it was just going to creep in, but keeper Hollund pulled off a stunning save to tip it round the post. From the corner, with blood pouring out of Lancashire's header after yet another challenge by Strodder, Dale managed to strike the post, via a Flitcroft header. Peakey tried an audacious overhead kick, but was way out with the finish.
Within minutes of the second half, the contest was over. Gary Strodder again tackled Lancashire from behind. He didn't even wait to see the ref's reaction as he had already started to leave the pitch. As he was receiving his well deserved standing ovation from the Hartlepool, as he was halfway down the tunnel, Dale made it two. Straight from the free kick given away by Strodder, the ball was played out to the right wing, before being knocked into the six yard box, where Clive Platt headed the ball home to put the game out of reach.
After this goal, Dale were always in control, and despite a lot of effort by the visitors, they never threatened. Dale were content to knock the ball around the pitch, and almost made it three when Dave Bayliss spooned the ball over the bar from inches out Dean Holdsworth style. At least it didn't cost us as it cost Bolton. The nearest Hartlepool came to scoring was when Dave Flitcroft misdirected a headed clearance from a corner which edged towards the goalline. Fortunately there were enough Dale players around to clear.
The formality of the final whistle came eventually, bringing a bit of hope back into the minds of the Dale supporters. This was a well deserved win and the three points were very welcome. They would have silenced a lot of the critics, though it would have looked so much better had Dale won the previous Wednesday. However, the situation now sees Dale four points off a play off place with a game in hand. We still have a big task ahead of us if we are to make it, but it is all in our own hands with games to come against teams in the positions above us. A win next week against Shrewsbury would really put the pressure on the clubs above us.
Dale: Edwards, Evans, Hill (McAuley), Bayliss, Ford, Flitcroft, Peake, Jones, Atkinson, Platt (Holt), Lancashire (Bettney).
Man of the match: Jason Peake just edging out Clive Platt