MATTHEW BATES thinks Hartlepool United have reached a ‘critical stage’ of the season that could determine whether they are pushing for promotion or fighting another relegation battle.

Defeat at Wycombe on Saturday meant Pools failed to close the gap on the play-off places but there are still only five points separating them from the top seven.

However, the Hartlepool players are also well aware that they are actually closer to the relegation zone before the next League Two game at Cambridge on December 10 – after this Sunday’s FA Cup trip to Port Vale.

Bates said: “It is a busy period in December and early January so this could be a tipping point this season. It is critical.

“At the end of January you could be looking up or over your shoulder. It could go either way. This period goes a long way to deciding what kind of season you have. There is nothing between the top seven and the bottom two.”

Hartlepool’s inconsistency has kept them in an uncertain position heading towards Christmas, but they have won two out of their last four matches to give themselves a lift despite last weekend’s defeat at Wycombe.

Bates added: “We have said this before and then we have let it stutter again.

“This is the time of year you kind of want to go on a run. I have said it before and I will say it again but we are right in there.

“We are only five points off the play-offs, but four off the bottom two. That shows how tight the league is. It highlights what a good run can do for you. It also highlights what a ban one can do, too.”

Bates has returned to action after injury frustration this season and that has coincided with Hartlepool looking more solid before the defeat at Wycombe.

The former Middlesbrough defender has also seen manager Craig Hignett mix formations up recently and he thinks gambles are often worth taking.

Bates said: “Changing formation was one worth taking against Accrington. It is a formation that you get better at playing the more you work at it.

“It is something I have played a lot - I like it. You have the chance to get out of the back four more, it enables us to get two strikers on the pitch as well which is a bonus.

“You see a lot of the top teams playing this 3-4-3 or 3-5-2, whatever you might want to call it.”