"I expected Blackpool to be one of the top four sides in Division Two this season," Dearden told the Evening Post.
"They have some good players, players who are capable of turning a game and they still have a slight chance of making the play-offs.
"They probably need to win five of their remaining games to do it, but they will want to give it their best shot.
"They have not been in the best form lately, but you can't pay too much attention to that.
"They are still a good team and they still have something to play for, so they will be determined." Dearden added.