"We're perhaps missing a little bit of team cohesion here and there, but I'm not sure that you can really short cut that process. You just have to play together over a number of weeks, feel more comfortable with each other and start to anticipate what other players are going to do. That subtlety of teamwork is not quite there yet, and it's a case of understanding that nine times out of ten the player next to you is going to do this as opposed to that.
"It can be the difference between getting through a small gap and not getting through, but the guys are working hard in training and the signs are positive."
Taking nothing for granted despite Friday's visitors still being winless, Bates added: "We can't underestimate the quality that Harlequins have got, despite the fact that they are yet to win a game this season.
"Despite their injuries they still have an excellent squad to pick from, and they have quality right throughout their back row which is capable of hurting any team. They've got an exciting back line with an excellent kicker in Nick Evans, and we know we will have to be very efficient if we are going to put them under some pressure during the game.
"Quins will naturally be disappointed at the way in which they've started the season, but they could quite easily turn that round with the quality they have in their squad.
"In terms of what has happened over the summer, I'm not sure how that whole situation will have affected them from a rugby point of view in the long term.
"You could argue that they will close ranks, pull together massively and really turn it into a them against us sort of siege mentality. In all fairness they've been unlucky in some of the games they've lost so far, and judging by the videos we've seen they're not actually playing that badly.
"We're going out there with the very positive mindset that we're going to put them under a lot of pressure, but we're also mindful that it's going to be a massive physical contest against a dangerous side.
"We're working hard together, we're frustrated by the results so far but we're not letting it affect our determination to attack the next game. It's a really positive atmosphere to be around because we can feel it all coming together - and Friday is the ideal time to get the ball rolling with a win."
Highlighting the role of the Kingston Park faithful, Bates said: "We're looking forward to the game, because it's a real opportunity to continue getting better and to show our home supporters what we are capable of doing.
"We're hoping that there will be a big turn-out from the supporters, which means so much to us because they give us fantastic backing in creating a Friday night atmosphere which is a real positive to the players."
Tickets for Friday's game (kick-off 8pm) are available by calling 0871 226 60 60, or from the stadium on the night.
Newcastle Falcons team to face Harlequins:
- 15 Alex Tait
- 14 Danny Williams
- 13 Rob Vickerman
- 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu
- 11 Tom Biggs
- 10 Jimmy Gopperth
- 9 Micky Young
- 1 Jon Golding
- 2 Matt Thompson
- 3 Carl Hayman (captain)
- 4 James Hudson
- 5 Tim Swinson
- 6 Peter Browne
- 7 Brent Wilson
- 8 Filipo Levi
Replacements:
- Rob Vickers
- Micky Ward
- Laurence Ovens
- Mark Sorenson
- Adam Balding
- Hall Charlton
- Rob Miller
- Gcobani Bobo
Not considered due to injury: Spencer Davey (knee), Josh Afu (back), Michael Tait (foot), Ed Williamson (gastroenteritis), Chris Micklewood (knee).
