City went down narrowly against Napier Marist in Hawkes Bay last Sunday, conceding a goal in the last 20 minutes making the final score 3-2.
Bell was pleased with how his team got back in the game despite going down 1-0 early, especially considering the travel factor and the fact they only had one substitute.
Helping to rectify that issue with player numbers is the return of Zane Robinson following his suspension for a red card in round one.
Bell said the mood at training on Tuesday night was positive and the team talked about what they need to work on moving forward.
"Having trust in each other's ability is important. We had a really strong pre-season going unbeaten in three games and we want to recapture that form," Bell said.
"We want to go back to playing our style of football which we haven't done in the previous weeks."
That style involves retaining possession, working on the final ball and relaxing when delivering it.
Despite Hokowhitu having struggled to start the season, City don't take any opponent for granted, Bell said.
"They may have lost two games, but they're not going to come out and sit down and take three losses on the chin.
"We are expecting them to come out firing. We need to be smart about it. If we do click and gather that final ball, we've got the ability to put a good handful of goals away."
The game begins at Wembley Park at 2.45pm, the same time as play will get underway for Athletic who are taking on Red Sox Manawatū at Skoglund Park in Palmerston North.
Following last weekend's agonising 2-1 loss to North End AFC, Athletic coach Jason King might be forced to dip into the talent of the reserve squad.
The team has lost Josh Parker for the season after he took up a job in Wellington and they are sweating on the fitness of Jordan Gilmore who took an ankle knock.
"There are some guys we might take away with us and blood in this game. It will be good for them and it will be interesting to see how they respond on the pitch," King said.
"If we're going to grow these youngsters and give them good opportunities, we've just got to get them out there on the park at some point."
King reiterated his heartbreak at his side letting in an injury time goal at Wembley Park last weekend to miss out on a point to add to their season tally.
However, he remained pleased with the performance overall after he had made big positional changes within the squad.
"We created some good opportunities, we just didn't take them. We created those chances, we put one away, but we were taking other chances that went slightly wide," King said.
"Unfortunately, slightly wide doesn't get on the scoresheet. It's not Aussie Rules where they give you a consolation point for going wide."
The Manawatū side is sitting in third spot on the table, claiming all six points available to them with two wins to start the season.
King said the opposition are a bit of an unknown and his side won't know how they play until they get out there on the day.
"This weekend is important to us, but every weekend is. It's a long season to go, this is only game three of 16 rounds," he said.
"We'll continue taking steps forward. I know we've got goals in us and I know we've got wins in us. I'm confident we'll finish off where we want to be."
Athletic and City sit seventh and eight on the table respectively with one point each.
