Mark Thompson is "optimistic" Essendon can return to its best form, but suggests that may be dependent on how quickly its ASADA issues are resolved.

The Bombers have struggled this season and enter Saturday night's clash against Adelaide with their season poised at six wins and six losses.

They have also had to contend with another busy week as the fallout continues from ASADA's issuing of show-cause notices to 34 current and former Essendon players.

Thompson indicated the club had the talent to get back to its top form, but that could rest on how ASADA's investigation pans out.   

"We're still optimistic. I know we still have the capacity to play well, it just depends on…it's probably a little bit out of our hands," Thompson said on Friday.

"If things happen, you've just got to take what comes. If the best case scenario happens and we free the players up of any of their stuff, then I think that we're more than capable of playing good footy."

Thompson said the coaches had tried to add more fun into the players' weekly schedule, and that preparing for the Crows had been "a touch" harder than most weeks.

"You go through all different phases, it's like grieving," he said.

"In the end you just don't want to become mentally exhausted out of the whole process, which is our danger.

"At times you get angry and get on that phase where you want to fight and vent, but I think some guys have been there and come out of it, and some players might still be in there."

After being appointed the interim senior coach while James Hird serves his 12-month ban, Thompson said he didn't regret taking on the role.

"I'm glad I did it. I sort of knew it was going to come at some stage, that it wouldn't be a year free of drama but I think I'm probably better positioned to do it than most other people because I know where I'm at," he said.

After last week's one-point loss to Melbourne, Essendon has lost key players Jake Carlisle (knee) and Paul Chapman (rest) for the side to meet the Crows.

Dustin Fletcher (back) has returned and will fill the hole left by Carlisle in defence, but Thompson said the youngster's injury was minor.  

"It's not serious at all but you can't go out there and run 13 kilometres if you haven't put any work through it during the week," he said.