Gunnedah coach John Hickey has given his side a pass mark for the season - and says playing "basic" football is the key for the Bulldogs.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
As the third-placed Dogs prepare to meet a resurgent Roosters at Kootingal on Sunday, Hickey said: "I'm happy with where we're at."
However, he said a struggle to get the full side together at training was an ongoing hindrance.
"But we'll make do with what's there, and it'll be coming good," he said.
"There's no excuses if we lose now - put it that way."
He added: "We've never had the same side exactly, but we've had the core now for probably three or four weeks.
Read also:
"So we're starting to get used to each other, and starting to get those little organisational skills a bit better.
"But again, what we turn up with on the day isn't necessarily what we train with ... again, with shift work we just can't put a team together.
"But it doesn't matter: the players are all pretty fair footballers. So when they get out there, we keep it all fairly basic ... if they go play a basic game, then everything will be all right."
Gunnedah have three wins and three losses this season.
One of those wins came in round two against the Roosters at Kitchener Park, when a dominant second-half display led to a 46-18 triumph.
Fourth-placed Kooty have had an uneven season - with three wins and four losses - but their coach Geoff Sharpe was heartened by the side's 34-14 away defeat of Dungowan last round.
Hickey expects a torrid contest on Sunday.
"It's about us making sure we reach a standard," he said.
"And if we can reach that standard, we're confident that we can win."
The Bulldogs will be without halfback Matt Brady on Sunday.
He has a social engagement in Newcastle.
On Wednesday, when Hickey spoke to the Namoi Valley Independent, he was unsure who would fill in for Brady.