ESSENDON coach John Worsfold is glad his team is growing frustrated by tight losses after another improved performance went unrewarded in the Bombers' 19-point defeat to Richmond on Saturday.

The Bombers have strung together a solid block of form over the past month, pushing Greater Western Sydney in round 13 before their inaccuracy cost them in last week's 11-point loss to St Kilda.

Their efficiency was again a factor against the Tigers, with Worsfold's side recording more scoring shots (28 to 22) and more inside-50 entries (53 to 46) but conceding five goals in the final term to see the game slip away.

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The West Coast premiership coach said he had seen a level of disappointment build within the club with every good performance that has not resulted in a win, and was glad that had occurred.

"It's good, I like the fact we're getting annoyed that we're getting close. We're not happy," Worsfold said.

"That's a good sign because I reckon early in the year we would have said 'Gee, we're happy to get that close' so the fact we're really making teams fight to win games and giving ourselves a chance of winning is a real positive.

"The challenge now is to have the composure and the class to get in front late and hold onto it. But that's definitely a work in progress."

Five talking points: Richmond v Essendon

Essendon had its chances against the Tigers to claim its second win of the season, but has now lost 14 games in a row. It is stuck on the bottom of the ladder but next week faces the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium, in a game that could decide who finishes last.

Worsfold said the Bombers did not carry extra motivation to beat the Lions to simply avoid their first wooden spoon since 1933, but added their confidence has risen with the improvements in their game over the past month.

"We're desperate, not so much to avoid last spot but to win. We want to win through our effort and start to build and get to know what it feels like to be a winning team. We'll be aiming for that," he said.

"I would challenge [the view next week will decide the wooden spoon] and say that … the form we're starting to show will worry certain other teams over the remaining course of the year.

"We would like to think teams won't be sitting back saying 'Who are we going to rest against Essendon?' or 'This game is a lighter'. It's going to be on."

There were positives for the Bombers against Richmond, with Zach Merrett (34 disposals, 10 tackles) continuing his excellent season, youngsters Darcy Parish and Marty Gleeson completing strong games and Conor McKenna giving some good rebound off half-back.

Patrick Ambrose also won the praise of Worsfold for his tight defensive job on Tigers spearhead Jack Riewoldt, who was held goalless.

Brownlow medalist Adam Cooney is expected to return for the Bombers against the Lions after being rested this week, and Worsfold is hopeful his team can deliver on their hard work.

"We want to win. I don't sit there and say it's about that emotional buoyancy, but it's certainly a better feeling to play a cracking game and win as opposed to giving a big effort and just falling short," he said.  

"I would love the players to experience that, but they drive that. It's in their hands about how much they want to get that win and how hard they're prepared to work for it.

"Next week is going to be a huge challenge for us to back up and play with the same intensity and same attitude, drive it and take the game on again."