CARLTON coach Brendon Bolton's greatest challenge is to not let external criticism steer his long-term plan off course, according to respected football figure Paul Roos.
The winless Blues' 37-game streak without scoring 100 points has become a major talking point in their struggles, particularly with them trying to transition into a more offensive team.
But Roos, who led Sydney to the 2005 premiership and put a poor-performing Melbourne team on the path to success, told AFL.com.au the fascination with Carlton's scoring was "garbage".
"The pressure on a young coach comes externally, (to the point) where they start changing their game plan," Roos said.
"I never ever looked at a stat like how many goals you kicked. It's completely and utterly irrelevant, because that's a result of your offensive movement.
"I can't control whether Max Gawn kicks a goal or misses a goal. That's an uncontrollable action, but what is a controllable action is a defensive action."
WATCH: The last time the Blues reached 100 points
Roos credits reigning premier Richmond's evolution from "dour" into an offensive juggernaut – the Tigers' 103.8 points per game are up from 90.5 in the 2017 home-and-away season – to its defensive prowess.
The former Fitzroy and Sydney champion's point is Richmond's "fundamentals" remain the same despite the uptick in offence.
"I know the good coaches of the good teams laugh about (external criticism), because they think it's an advantage when the media talk about it," he said.
"Then the clubs who actually start to worry about it take their eyes off what the teams that continually finish on the top do.
"If you kick 100 points, clearly you're going to win (more than you lose), but … that is an outcome.
"Put your mechanisms in place that allow you to have really good contested ball and defence, then as a result of that, your offence is going to go through the roof, anyway."
The heightened focus on Bolton's catchphrases and buzzwords was not lost on Roos, who urged the third-year Blues mentor to be "authentic" despite critics' impatience.
"My message to Brendon is just to be honest. Be honest with everyone, be honest with the media … if you try and put too much spin on it, people can see through it," Roos said.
"I think people respect you when you tell them the way it is.
"I think generally Brendon's been pretty good and you're not going to please everyone, but be authentic, tell the truth and let people know absolutely where you think the club's at."
Carlton will again bid for its first win of the season when it faces West Coast at the MCG on Saturday in round five.
