The Bombers have lost three of their past four games, but in each loss have won the inside-50 count, including in last Saturday's 44-point defeat to the Sydney Swans.
Midfielder David Zaharakis said the return of key forward Michael Hurley for Friday's clash with the Blues will aid the club's movement and competitiveness close to goal, but some other changes needed to be made.
"I think it's a combination of forward-50 entries, and also the forward-50 movement and the forwards as a group," Zaharakis said on Tuesday.
"We just need to get more efficient. We're winning the inside 50 entries, we're winning time in forward half, and they're the stats you want to win. But you also want to be efficient, kick goals and reward your team's work up the field."
Former Essendon captain and champion goalkicker Matthew Lloyd said the Bombers’ forward line was "just not functioning", but Zaharakis noted the wet conditions against the Swans contributed to the ineffective forward movement.
"It was raining the whole game and you have to gain yardage on wet days," he said.
"As a midfield group kicking into the forward group, that's probably where we're letting ourselves down.
"The forward line is not dysfunctional – we’ve just got to tweak a few things where the forwards probably have to move a bit more together and not all running to the one spot."
Zaharakis nominated defender Kyle Hardingham to fill the void if Courtenay Dempsey misses facing the Blues after injuring his chest and lung in a crunching marking contest last Saturday.
"'Demps' is getting more scans today to get another view of his injury. He was at the club yesterday and is here this morning. He'll see what the scans say. Hopefully he plays this week because he's massive for us off half-back," he said.
Eddie Betts will return for the Blues after serving his three-week suspension, meaning the Bombers will need to contend with all three of Carlton's dangerous small forwards – Betts, Jeff Garlett and Chris Yarran.
The trio has troubled Essendon in the past, and Zaharakis is aware of their influence.
"They're obviously three great players for them, and they feed off the taller guys they’ve got down there," he said.
"Hopefully we can negate that and work the ball out of our back 50."
Follow AFL website reporter Callum Twomey on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey.
