As the side builds towards its Ranfurly Shield match against Wellington in 16 days' time, Carvell is pleased with the form it has shown in its hit-outs so far this season.
Otago beat North Otago 79-3 on July 1 then thrashed Mid Canterbury 85-0 last Saturday.
It has two more games to prepare for the Shield match, against Tasman in Nelson on Saturday, then Southland in Invercargill on July 24, before travelling to the capital for the July 31 challenge.
All Black flanker Adam Thomson is a possibility of starting the Shield match, but Otago is not counting on his being available.
Carvell said the side had made huge strides in its two games, and he was pleased with the team performance.
"It was not as though we played reckless Barbarians-type rugby to get the wins. We stuck to our patterns and executed really well," he said.
"These guys we were playing were really trying and we scored some good tries through some fine play."
Otago had only two pre-season games last year, losing to both Southland and Wellington, and Carvell said the side was coming together well.
"It's been good to have the players coming together and getting to know each other a bit better. We're already ahead of where we were last year."
The side trained most of yesterday, with Junior All Black lock Tom Donnelly back in action after being on leave, while Thomson also trained, though his participation was limited because of his hand injury.
Thomson broke a bone in his right hand in the first half of the test against France at Carisbrook on June 13, and sports a soft cast.
Carvell said it would be touch and go whether Thomson would be able to play against Wellington.
"It will be a big lift to the boys if he can play. But there are a lot of variables - whether he is right from the injury or whether he is wanted back in the Tri-Nations squad."
"We're not counting on him being there."
Prop Keith Cameron was the only player with a serious injury, having ruptured a ligament in his thumb against North Otago, and was unlikely to be available until the middle of next month.
Other players had injury niggles but none were too serious, although the flu which swept through the squad last week had not helped matters.
Former league players Michael Witt and Ryan Shortland had knee injuries and both would have their injuries checked today.
Carvell said Witt was being viewed as a utility back, able to play in the inside backs or in the back three.
Midfield back Aaron Bancroft was fit and available for the game against Tasman after successfully concluding his negotiations with the Otago union, Carvell said.
No captain had yet been named for the season, with No 8 Steven Setephano leading the side against North Otago and first five-eighth Chris Noakes skippering the side against Mid Canterbury. Carvell said the side had a good mix of leaders.
The squad will have a season launch at the West Taieri grounds in Outram on Sunday, starting at noon, but it does not have to name its squad for the domestic competition until the middle of next week.
Otago finished a disappointing 10th last year in the Air New Zealand Cup, but Carvell said that record was not an issue this year.
He said the side had improved through the course of last year but needed to play a complete 80 minutes.
