On the strength of the 5-1 win over Napier last week Athletic sit fifth on the table with 10 points behind joint leaders Havelock North and Massey University on 16 points, PN Marist on 13 points and Gisborne Thistle on 12.
Athletic have the home advantage against PN Marist this weekend with a 2.45pm kick off at Wembley Park tomorrow.
They had been defensively sound through five games, conceding just seven goals. It is on attack where Athletic have struggled, bagging just six goals over that time. Adding five to the tally last week while conceding just one would have given confidence.
Von Kwiatkowski said developing their attacking philosophy and skillset had been a huge focus at training over the last few weeks.
Those scoring woes were only amplified last weekend when they were without 2020 top goal scorer Josh Smith due to the red card he received against Peggy Gordons New Plymouth Rangers. However, they needn't have worried.
As the season goes on, they will slowly return to full strength after a raft of injuries.
Von Kwiatkowski said starter Will King was set to return from injury in the near future and defensive lynchpin Shaan Stuart would be back in New Zealand in July.
Meanwhile, the woes continue for Athletic Reserves who now sit third from the bottom of the table. They also play at home with a 12.30pm kickoff at Wembley against North End Reserves.
City are still without a coach after newcomer Mark Hetherington stood down, forcing senior players to take on a caretaker role.
Captain Latham Berry said while the team were not totally happy with the way they had been playing, they were satisfied enough with their results.
"We haven't been playing our best, but we're hanging in there," Berry said.
"We really do need to step up now and make our claim on this competition.
"PNBHS is a fit young side playing well, but we do need to start playing like we know we can and beat them this weekend."
