A defiant James Hird says Essendon are still capable of playing finals this year despite their disappointing first half of the AFL season.
The Bombers sit in 13th place with just four wins from 11 matches as they resume after their bye, but Hird is adamant his under-performing side can turn things around.
"I think you get to a point in the year when you say that finals are definitely not possible, but it is possible," Hird said on Tuesday.
"We still think it's possible but at the moment we're not worried about whether we make the finals or don't make the finals.
"We have to play a certain way and get our players playing to a certain ability and that's what we're focusing on."
Essendon will be out to avoid a fourth straight loss when they take on Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday.
After more than two years of scrutiny over his part in the Essendon supplements scandal, Hird's coaching ability has been put under the spotlight this season, which he acknowledged was fair enough.
"If you're losing as a coach you will get pressure," he said.
"We're not where we thought we'd be this year, we thought we'd be in a better position, and I fully expect that that pressure comes onto the coach.
"It's fair that if you don't win, people look at the coach."
Hird has also been criticised for his decision to travel to France during last week's bye but he declared it a non-issue given he missed just one training session and a pool recovery.
"I think this is just blowing something out of proportion," he said.
"It's not necessary ... the club knew about it and a number of senior players knew about it.
"It's just not a big issue."
Hird must plot his side's resurgence without Travis Colyer and Tom Bellchambers, who have both suffered foot fractures.
Colyer has been ruled out for the year but Bellchambers is at least a chance to return late in the season.
In better news, Heath Hocking is set to play his first game of the season in the VFL as he returns from groin surgery, with Jason Winderlich and David Zaharakis also in the selection mix after spells on the sidelines.
Dustin Fletcher, however, is unlikely to take on the Hawks as he continues to overcome a groin complaint.
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