Intent the key for Crows: Craig

Adelaide coach Neil Craig likens the Crows' form slump to being stuck in the mud.

The Crows crashed to heavy losses against lowly Brisbane and North Melbourne in the past fortnight, slipping to 14th position entering their home fixture on Saturday against West Coast.

"Clearly the last two weeks we have been spinning the wheels a bit," he said.

"So we need to get some more traction and start to move forward again."

Craig says the recent defeats were alarming for a lack of intent from his players.

"That has been the most disappointing aspect in the last two games and where I personally have great empathy for our supporters," he said.

"Because up until then we were doing some pretty good things, moving forward - not necessarily the scoreboard ticking over the way we would have liked, but we were doing some good things."

Craig says aggressive intent will be required from the start against the rejuvenated Eagles, perched in sixth spot with six wins for the season.

"We will need to be because one statistic about West Coast is their first quarters are very, very good and their contested ball in the first quarter is as good as any in the competition," he said.

"So if we're not, we will pay a big price."

Much of Craig's week has been focused on his misfiring midfield brigade, frequently getting hammered at the crucial contested ball.

"We have a real good close look at that," he said.

"Some of it is about game knowledge ... but that is not the major concern.

"A lot of it is about intent, the mental intent - nowhere near fierce enough, and that is an area we can improve overnight."

Craig recalled ruckman Shaun McKernan and utility Andy Otten for the home fixture, dropping tapman Brad Moran and forward Ricky Henderson.

The Eagles have been strengthened by the return of key trio Daniel Kerr, Brad Ebert and Sam Butler and Craig believes the Western Australians can no longer be deemed surprise packets of the season.

"I don't think they are now because it has been consistent for the year," Craig said of the Eagles.

"We're halfway through the year and their performance has been consistent and I think you can trust West Coast with what they are going to deliver."

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