That is sort of the situation the Otago camp finds itself in before its round two twenty20 match against Northern Districts at the University Oval today.
Volts coach Rob Walter was not impressed with his side's first outing in the tournament earlier this month. Otago suffered a comprehensive 22-run loss to Auckland and, when asked what the team needed to put right before today's game, he began with one word: ''Everything''.
''We looked at various areas and we could have easily been 20 better with the ball and in the field, and in the same breath we probably could have scored 20 more if we batted smarter.
''We just needed to do some pretty basic T20 elements better. But that is a positive, really - to know that you played average and were 20 short in a 198 game.''
Otago will be without veteran left-armer Bradley Scott, who has been ruled out with an infection in his knee. The 37-year-old was one of the few bowlers to emerge from the opening game having enhanced his reputation, so he will be a loss.
Legspinner Rhys Phillips has been added to the side and Black Caps all-rounder Jimmy Neesham returns from national duty.
It is unclear whether Neesham will bowl - he is still nursing a bruised forearm from game two of the Chappell-Hadlee series - but he is good enough to play as a specialist batsman.
He made an impact for the Black Caps at No4 in the absence of Ross Taylor, so it must be tempting for Walter to push Neesham further up the order.
''I think people get caught up by the number you bat in a line-up. That means nothing to me, really. You have to match your batters with the match situation and the great thing is he [Neesham] has shown he can play both games. He can get in early and build and an innings and he is, without doubt, a powerful hitter at the death.
''He certainly adds a lot to the firepower of our batting line-up.''
Hamish Rutherford and Anaru Kitchen have been given the job to open and set up a platform for the likes of Neil Broom, Michael Bracewell and Neesham to build on.
Even Brad Wilson, who is probably viewed more as a four-day player, is capable of lifting his strike rate and playing some good knocks.
Typically, Otago has four different players padded up waiting to bat and it is Walter, not some prepared batting order, who decides who will bat next. He makes that call based on the situation of the game or who is best equipped to counter what the opposition is trying to do.
''The biggest conundrum in T20 cricket is the higher up everyone bats the better. But you can't fit everyone up there.
''We've got different ideas as to how we may use them but the big thing I would like for our batters is for them to understand that they are skilled enough to bat anywhere and in any situation.''
Northern Districts has been strengthened with the return of Black Caps BJ Watling and Mitchell Santner. Imports Nathan Reardon and Ben Laughlin have headed back to Australia to compete in the Big Bash competition.
Otago will play five games in the next 10 days, so it is crucial period for the team.
