Last weekend the Bath report card would probably read: 'C' - could do better. Saying that, after a poor first half, Bath could have (should have?) finished the game with a try bonus point as well as the victory. I think that we all know (including the players I'm sure) that we will have to play an awful lot better than that this weekend, even with home advantage.

The positives came from our young tyros, Catt, Mercer and Ovens. They have been playing their hearts out for United on Monday nights and it's great to see them taking their opportunities. Negatives again came at fly half where Butch continues to be inconsistent. Let's hope the need to show some form before heading back to South Africa will bring a final few magical performances from the man we have come to expect so much from.

With pretty much every game left a must win, we are faced with a considerable challenge against one of the most youthful and dynamic teams in the Premiership. At the helm sits the talent that is Nick Evans. I don't know the statistics (I'm sure someone does) but I'd put good money on the vast majority of games that Quins lose fitting in nicely with the occasions that Evans is not playing.

Quins are not just about one man however. They have one of the best back rows in the Premiership, powerful centres in Turner-Hall and Lowe, as well as the hard running and big boot of Mike Brown at full back. Pundits often talk about the key axis at 8, 9 and 10 - possibly only Leicester have a better combination in this competition.

This is of course not to say that Saturday is an impossible task for Bath. Harlequins have won only once away from home in the Premiership this season and seem to blow very hot and cold with their form. They are also missing Joe Marler from their front row after his sending off and subsequent ban. One prop may not seem like a big deal, but without him they have struggled considerably in the scrum and I believe it's an area we can target. We know, to our peril, how damaging a poor scrummaging effort can be in a game. If we can deny them that platform then we stifle their ability to attack.

Selection questions this week mostly surround fitness of players. It is not clear whether Lewis Moody will be yet again be requiring "one more week" or if Luke Watson's injury last weekend was serious enough to keep him out. Simon Taylor's injury was only a twinge so perhaps there is a chance that he will also be available. I suspect that if Tom Biggs is fit then Vesty will move back to the bench and Abendanon to full back.

The reverse fixture between these two teams was a turgid affair, ending in a six all stalemate. On Saturday I expect a far less cautious approach from both teams and hopefully less (and better quality) kicking than we were forced to endure at The Stoop. One thing is for sure, Bath are going to need to find at least two more gears to win on Saturday. The question is, are we going to coast into nothingness, or accelerate forward into a Heineken qualification spot? We at least need to start the engines before the second half this week, otherwise Quins could already be too far away to catch up, both on the scoreboard and in the league.

Photos by Patrick Khachfe | Onside Images