After starting the campaign 3-0, the Mystics then lost six of their next eight games, the latest being a 62-49 home defeat to the City of London Academy, which leaves them in seventh place at the half-way point of the campaign.
It was a similar situation to last season for Fairley's side, culminating in Manchester narrowly missing out on the final post-season spot to Bristol Academy Flyers.
Now in their second season in WNBL1, Fairley is optimistic about this season's team and its ability to make the playoffs, but wants to see his team improve their offensive execution.
"I think we've got to be more clinical," Fairley said.
"As a team, we've made improvements on last season. We were a new team in the league and were happy to be around and not get relegated.
"But now, we've got to push on. We have made improvements, but if you look at the record right now, it's the same as it was last year. Our defence has been great, but our offence needs to be more clinical, and that's the big focus.
"It's easier said than done, but for us, we want to try to ensure that we are getting across the line and turn a few of those close losses into close wins."
It's a lesson learned and motivation for this season's Mystics side, which is laced with WEABL talent mixed with veterans. Coach Fairley is looking to create a pathway to help the younger players develop into future stars of the game.
They won their first three games of the season with a staggering average margin of 21.6 points, but they have since lost that spark, winning just two games since.
Led by veteran Rehana Khalil, who averages 10.6 points, 3.7 assists and 7.2 rebounds a game, teenage prodigy Irene Oboavwoduo, who leads the team with 11.9 points and 7.9 rebounds, along with key components Kizzy Spence and the Costa sisters, Ellie and Carina, there is a solid offensive core in place.
"We can stop the other team scoring, but that's only 50 percent of the game, isn't it," Fairley says.
"We've got to work on how to take that and then put the ball in down the other end.
"You know, at the end of the day, it's the quote of offence wins games, defence wins championships, but I've never looked at the scoreboard and seen a team with fewer points win the game.
"We have a talented group, a great mix of young talent and good veterans. We can make a playoff push, and we will come in with a fresh start in the New Year."
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