By Pete Oliver

Rochdale goalkeeper Matthew Gilks believes the club is on the verge of something special.

Gilks says Rochdale have not given up on the play-offs

Dale have been revitalised since Keith Hill took over as manager at Christmas, bringing in former team-mate and playing favourite Dave Flitcroft as his number two.

Under the guidance of Hill, the club's former youth-team coach, Rochdale have risen from 22nd in the table to 13th.

And instead of facing a fight to avoid relegation, they have launched an unlikely late bid for the play-offs.

Gilks told BBC Sport: "Different personnel have come in and they have different ideas. We have got two very energetic people who have so much desire and passion for the game it has come across to the lads.

"The manager is enthusiastic, training is good and Dave Flitcroft has lifted the lads with his sense of humour and the way he is.

"It's a combination of both of them that has taken us to what we are doing now."

Rochdale have lost just three games since Hill, whose playing career also took in spells as a defender with Blackburn Rovers and Plymouth Argyle, replaced Steve Parkin.

Six wins in their last ten matches, including a 7-2 derby triumph at Stockport, brought the top-seven into view.

And even though a goalless draw at home to high-flying Swindon on Tuesday night might have left them with too much to do, Gilks says Rochdale will still give it everything they have got.

He said: "We have turned the corner. We might be just too far away to do something, but we have talked about it and there are six games left and 18 points at stake.

"We are going to win as many of those games as we can and who knows ? If it does take us into the play-offs it hasn't been such a wasted season after all."

Even at the age of 24, Gilks is Rochdale's longest serving player, having been with the club since he was 13.

Having bided his time and learned the ropes behind the popular figure of Neil Edwards, he has since gone on to make almost 200 appearances for the Lancashire side as one of the top young keepers in the division.

And having experienced both relegation struggles and promotion challenges since making his debut six years ago, he is enjoying a return to better times.

"It's nice to see the change around," he said. "I've been here many times on the down and I've been on the up. We played Rushden and Diamonds in the 2002 play-offs but unfortunately we missed out on that.

Next year will be one hell of a push for promotion Matthew Gilks

"But at the moment we have a good set of lads with a good management team behind us and we are very much looking forward to the next six games."

Gilks is also thinking beyond that, with contract talks on-going to extend his current deal which expires in the summer.

With the team on a high and a feel-good factor around a club which is gearing up for its centenary celebrations next season, Gilks can only see good things happening.

Should they come up just short this season, he expects a serious challenge to finally escape the bottom division in 2008.

Gilks added: "I think Keith has already made a good base of a squad. Obviously he's going to make additions and a few people will go by the wayside, so to speak, but next year will be one hell of a push for promotion.

"He's brought his own backroom staff in now and they are all so enthusiastic for next year I think we will have a good go.

"People keep reminding us that we are the longest-serving club in the division and it is unfortunate. But this next year we will have a right good go for promotion.

"I am born in Rochdale and live down the road in Oldham so I am a local lad and I would love to see the club do well.