Charlestown coach Niko Papaspiropolous wants Azzurri to be better in key moments as they target a much-needed three points against third-placed Warners Bay this weekend.
Azzurri go into the round 12 Newcastle Herald Women's Premier League match at John Street Oval on Sunday in sixth position with 12 points. They are six behind Maitland (18) in fourth and seven adrift of third-placed Warners Bay (19).
After the Panthers, Charlestown have league heavyweights Olympic, and cannot afford to lose any more ground on the teams ahead of them.
But, as has been the story of their season, Azzurri are again without key players for the crucial clash. Leading striker Lori Depczynski, who has scored five goals in seven outings, remains sidelined by an ankle complaint and in-form centre-back Carolina Cacic is out with a knee injury.
"We'll have to do a bit of reshuffling again to make up for a few of those losses," Papaspiropoulos said.
"It's an important game for both teams and we just have to dig in and get the job done."
Azzurri are coming off a devastating last-minute loss to fifth-placed Adamstown (16). Charlestown twice held the lead before being over-run by Rosebud 3-2.
"We need to have the same attitude and determination that we had against Adamstown," Papaspiropoulos said.
"We have got to make sure we're switched on and that we get stuck in early and take advantage of key moments, be a little bit better at managing the game in particular instances.
"They're quite tidy as a team and they've obviously got a few good individuals in there like Tara Pender and Elodie Dagg, but they're pretty tidy across the park."
Azzurri led 1-0 before being beaten 2-1 by Warners Bay in round five. Strike weapon Jess Gentle did not play that match and will be key to Charlestown's success this weekend.
The 24-year-old proved lethal against Adamstown last round, scoring two goals and creating numerous attacking raids.
Warners Bay will be looking to rebound from their 2-0 loss to Maitland last round.
The win was Maitland's first against a top-three side and should prove a confidence boost as they look to give a stronger account of themselves on the scoreboard against league leaders Newcastle Olympic (30) at Darling Street Oval on Saturday.
Maitland are without goalkeeper Imogene Tomasone through unavailability. Danielle Redding will take her place.
Olympic won 4-0 when they met in round five and Magpies coach Keelan Hamilton said the rematch was "a chance to see what progression we've made".
"The result really isn't that do or die for us," Hamilton said. "I think that Broadmeadow and Olympic will beat most teams, but it's definitely a good chance to see where we're at and just another opportunity for us to progress as a football club and as a football team."
New Lambton (0) host Mid Coast (4) at Arthur Edden Oval on Sunday.
