Embattled coach John Worsfold is adamant Essendon are a better team than they were last year, but he needs more time to restore the club's AFL powerhouse status.
The Bombers, 12th with an underwhelming 4-6 record, face a critical test when they meet last-placed Carlton at the MCG before their bye round.
The Blues only managed two wins last year on their way to collecting the wooden spoon and one of them was against Essendon.
A repeat on Sunday would be a huge hit to the Bombers' finals aspirations and give critics like club legend Matthew Lloyd more ammunition.
Lloyd has urged the club to look at other coaching options for a team that he believes has underachieved this season, Worsfold's fourth at the club.
The veteran coach doesn't begrudge Lloyd his opinion but argues his first year, in 2016 when his team was decimated by doping bans, doesn't count and 2017 can't be considered a normal year either even though they made the finals.
"Last year was really my first year," Worsfold said.
"I would say it's pretty hard to count 2016 and in 2017. We had a totally different focus in reintegrating players back into the game (after their bans were over).
"So last year was our first crack at it.
"Overall, in my three years at Essendon we've played in the finals once and just missed the finals once. This year we're aiming to play finals.
"... I think we're better through the midfield, I think our overall balance in the midfield is way better, and I think we've built a forward line that is pretty good but they're just not playing at the moment."
Worsfold, who is contracted for next season, pointed to Richmond's Damien Hardwick and Collingwood's Nathan Buckley as examples of coaches who thrived when given time to follow their plans through.
In his defence, the Bombers have had to deal with a heavy injury toll this season.
Dylan Shiel and Jake Stringer were unable to play out last week's loss to Richmond and looked certain to join a lengthy injury list that includes Joe Daniher, Devon Smith and Orazio Fantasia.
"Jake's (injury) is a run-of-the-mill every day hammy, so he'll miss a couple of weeks, and Dylan is a bit different in that the scan doesn't show a tear, which is great," Worsfold said.
"So he's not ruled out this week but he'll obviously have to prove his fitness."
Daniher (groin) and Smith (knee) were slated to undergo season-ending surgery on Tuesday.
