Latics boss Ronnie Moore told the official site, "It is vital we don't lose. It is a difficult place to go to, especially on a Friday night. You can guarantee it will be blowing a gale and bitterly cold. This time last season they were in our position, so it shows how much can change in such a short period. It will be a tough game, there is no doubt about that. People think that because they are in the bottom four that it is going to be three points but it doesn't work that way. If we play like we did at Rotherham there is only going to be one outcome, but it we perform like we have been doing in our last couple of games there is no reason why we can't come away with a win."
"Friday's are great if you win because you have all weekend to enjoy it. Four other teams in the top six are playing each other and they can't all win, so if we can pick up all three points we will be in there. It is so tight between seven clubs now and we just have to make sure we keep winning. I wouldn't like to say how many points we are going to need, but we still have to play Swansea and Barnsley at home and they are going to be massive games. If we are going to have a chance we have just have to keep picking up three points a game."
"The important thing is to keep our momentum going, there is always one side that comes with a late run and, hopefully, it is us this season. We have been chasing a play-off place for some time now and if we get the result we want at Hartlepool it will put even more pressure on the other sides. We have to go there, be brave and positive and do what we have been doing for the last few weeks. But anybody who thinks we just have to turn up to win it will be in for a rude awakening. One thing is for sure, this is a tremendous chance for us. A lot of damage can be done for the good. What we have to do now is keep it going until the end of the season. The fans have been magnificent for us and we are going to need all their support before it is over."