In 14th position with one win and six losses, the successive defeats to Geelong (one point) and Melbourne (six points) have been hard to swallow.
However, Harvey believes his work with the group over the bye week will help to counter the fade-outs seen in those games.
"Our form has actually been OK without winning, that's the problem and we are addressing that regularly," he said on Wednesday. "We are disappointed to get so close but not quite beat those top sides and once again we face a top-four side in the Western Bulldogs.
"I'd imagine there won't be much in the game.
"It's about arresting momentum and not finding yourself in those situations where you let sides back in the game too quickly and too easily. It's something we have addressed over the break and the players will know what to do.
"The leadership group will take over from now on. We've highlighted where we've been going wrong in those situations with video analysis and are confident it won't happen again."
Mark Johnson's two-week WAFL suspension sees him join Josh Carr on the sidelines, while Luke Webster, Des Headland and Paul Hasleby battle various knee injuries, Andrew Browne (hamstring) is a week away and Antoni Grover (quad) is in a race to be fit.
With Heath Black, Brett Peake and Chris Mayne also expected to play again in the WAFL, Harvey has limited numbers to pick from this week.
It has prompted him to call for larger playing lists, while also supporting Richmond coach Terry Wallace's suggestion of having more players available on game day.
"I had a meeting with the AFL last week and they said the intensity level has gone up 10 per cent again, so that's 20 per cent in two years," he noted. "It is taking its toll on the lists and perhaps we should look at extending them. It's probably a good time to do it at the end of this year.
"At the very least, we should have a look at the rookies and the amount we have on a list. That's something I would introduce and I think you'll find all clubs will push that. We've looked at all our games and we've lost players early in the game, which does have a consequence.
"It's just a fact and Terry's opinion on that could be right."
Ten goals for West Perth against Peel Thunder on Saturday has put Adam Campbell right in the selection frame, while Kepler Bradley's continued form at centre half-forward for the Falcons has also been pleasing.
"Those guys are obviously playing well at WAFL level, so are right in contention and will be in the squad," he said. "Kepler had those three concussions over a six-week period going back three months and it has just taken him time to get back on track.
"Which one or if both play depends on what facets we need them to do apart from just playing in the forward line, that's what it will come down to."
Thrilled to have promising youngsters Mayne, Rhys Palmer and Clayton Hinkley committed until the end of 2010, Harvey is confident Robert Warnock, David Mundy and Ryan Murphy will resist offers to return to Melbourne.
"The fact that we've just signed Chris Mayne for an extra year and all our draftees from last year have now signed for three years is great," he said.
"We've just had Reebok sign for four years, so there's some really good stability at our footy club. In time, we will talk to those young players about their futures at Fremantle. Robbie is a kid that barracked for Essendon, so I tend to have a good influence on him."
