The Bombers finished 14th in 2010 and currently sit in fifth position on the ladder, but Hird said their next ""month or two"" of games were vital if the season would be deemed a success.
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""This part of the season is very important for all clubs,"" Hird said on Thursday.
""You need to be winning games in this part of the season to give yourself a chance at the end of the year. We see this next game, and the next month or two, as hugely important for us.""
Essendon had the bye in round 10 after Richmond ended its three-game winning streak in round nine, and Hird said the week off gave his team a chance to put the first half of the year into perspective.
""It's a chance to have a look (and say) that we haven’t really done a lot and we've got a lot to do,"" he said.
""AFL footy is very confronting week after week and you can build your season with wins, but also a few losses when you don't want them can ruin a season.""
""We're under no illusions that we've done OK so far this year, but there's a long way to go. The improvement in our team over the next part of the year will tell you whether we've had a good year or not,"" Hird said.
Hird said captain Jobe Watson (hamstring) and utility Michael Hurley (calf) will train on Thursday and then most likely be named in the team, but would be assessed on Friday before being passed fit to face the Demons.
""(Watson) will train today but is probably unlikely to play. But if he gets through training well and doesn't pull up with any soreness then he will play,"" Hird said.
""We'll probably select him and then see how we go.""
""Hurley's in almost exactly the same position. If it was a Sunday game they'd definitely play, but for a Friday game we're a bit touch-and-go. We'll watch them both train today and make a decision later,"" Hird said.
The fitness worries at the club appear to be easing, with key defender Tayte Pears making a successful comeback to competitive football last weekend in the VFL after 11 months on the sidelines. Despite his strong performance for the VFL, Hird said the 21-year-old will probably need a month more of games before pushing for senior selection.
""We need him playing really consistent football at VFL level and then we can think about playing him in our team. If everything goes well, we hope in three or four weeks he'll come into the senior team,"" Hird said
""This part of the season is very important for all clubs,"" Hird said on Thursday.
""You need to be winning games in this part of the season to give yourself a chance at the end of the year. We see this next game, and the next month or two, as hugely important for us.""
Essendon had the bye in round 10 after Richmond ended its three-game winning streak in round nine, and Hird said the week off gave his team a chance to put the first half of the year into perspective.
""It's a chance to have a look (and say) that we haven’t really done a lot and we've got a lot to do,"" he said.
""AFL footy is very confronting week after week and you can build your season with wins, but also a few losses when you don't want them can ruin a season.""
""We're under no illusions that we've done OK so far this year, but there's a long way to go. The improvement in our team over the next part of the year will tell you whether we've had a good year or not,"" Hird said.
Hird said captain Jobe Watson (hamstring) and utility Michael Hurley (calf) will train on Thursday and then most likely be named in the team, but would be assessed on Friday before being passed fit to face the Demons.
""(Watson) will train today but is probably unlikely to play. But if he gets through training well and doesn't pull up with any soreness then he will play,"" Hird said.
""We'll probably select him and then see how we go.""
""Hurley's in almost exactly the same position. If it was a Sunday game they'd definitely play, but for a Friday game we're a bit touch-and-go. We'll watch them both train today and make a decision later,"" Hird said.
The fitness worries at the club appear to be easing, with key defender Tayte Pears making a successful comeback to competitive football last weekend in the VFL after 11 months on the sidelines. Despite his strong performance for the VFL, Hird said the 21-year-old will probably need a month more of games before pushing for senior selection.
""We need him playing really consistent football at VFL level and then we can think about playing him in our team. If everything goes well, we hope in three or four weeks he'll come into the senior team,"" Hird said
