Ratten bemoaned a lack of structure in the four-point loss to Essendon and admitted it has been a focus at training during the week.
"There were a few glaring things that we've gone through with the team and if we get that right without the footy we'll be a lot better," Ratten said from Visy Park on Wednesday.
"We need to be prepared for that constant combat [that is] one-on-one, ball-in-tight, win your own footy. That will be replayed over and over again.
"They seem to find a loophole every time, they're the best at it, and we'll get some really good practice around stoppages and set plays.”
Ratten admitted he had been grumpy all week after the Bombers ruined his Easter, but he had clearly regained his sense of humour by Wednesday. When questioned about speculation a flu bug had swept the Carlton camp earlier in the week he smiled and coughed theatrically before answering in the negative.
The coach said there would be no excuses, sickness or otherwise, against a team that holds an imposing record over the Blues; the Swans have beaten Carlton in each of their past 11 outings.
On top of that, Ratten himself played in the last Carlton team to take on the Swans at the SCG and come away with a win back in 1993.
"It's a good opportunity for us to maybe fix up a record that's not flattering and get back on the bike," Ratten said.
The Blues will select the team at Wednesday afternoon's match committee meeting, but Ratten revealed rebounding half-back Dennis Armfield was a certain inclusion.
Andrew Carrazzo ripped it up for the Bullants last week with 41 possessions, but Ratten felt he still needed another week to regain match fitness following the broken arm that set back his pre-season progress.
He admitted the form of young players Sam Jacobs, Mitch Robinson, Jeff Garlett and Aaron Joseph had become a more inconsistent since they all made their debuts in round one, but said that was to be expected.
