OPTIMISM fueled the Western Bulldogs' run from outsiders to premiers, with Marcus Bontempelli saying there's still plenty of it to go round despite the club's woeful form this season.

Since May, the Bulldogs have posted just one win - edging 17th-placed North Melbourne three weeks ago by one point.

It's a run that has placed Luke Beveridge's side outside the eight and facing Carlton on Sunday in a clash that, if they lose, could all but end their finals hopes.

In many ways, the Bulldogs' slip from the League's top echelons represents a reversion to normality.

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After all, they finished seventh last season and started as underdog in each of their four finals on the way to a first premiership in 60 years.

Bontempelli says the against-the-odds nature of last year's triumph required positive thinking at all times - and stands them in good stead this season.

"Optimism - and hope and belief - is something that we've really utilised as an emotion for a lot of this journey that we've been on," he said.

"It's something that at times comes under fire.

"We haven't at times looked like the team that we were in times gone by.

"I don't think in terms of spirit that we're broken at all. I get a real sense that this group is galvanising.

"For us as a group and the tight group that we are, (optimism) will always be the thing that strives us forward. We can't change from that at all."

Against Adelaide last week, the Bulldogs were within a kick at half-time but only managed one goal for the second half and lost by 59 points.

Bontempelli said frustration at their inconsistency was understandable from coaches and players.

"Throughout games, for most part of the year, we've shown good signs of form and then not so good ones. We don't want that to be happening," he said.

"The optimism we've got in this team and what we've been able to do in the past will keep spurring us forward.

"I don't think we're too far away from turning out our best game from the year."