PREMIERSHIP defender Ben Reid says the Magpies must guard against negativity if they are to find some form in the second half of the season.
After two disappointing losses, Collingwood heads into the bye in 14th place after winning just four games in the first 12 rounds.
Although the Magpies have lost key players through the season to injury, they have won only six of their 23 games since last year's bye.
"There is no point getting negative," Reid told AFL.com.au.
"It is just going to breed more negativity, so we've just got to stay positive."
Reid, who has played in six wins in his 18 games since the start of 2014, said Collingwood had missed another opportunity to turn its form around with its performance against Melbourne.
"We had an opportunity to play some good footy and we just let it slip," he said, adding that Melbourne was better inside and outside the contest after quarter-time, as the Demons dominated uncontested possession.
"They out-hunted us around the ball most of the time," Reid said.
"We were pretty fumbly."
Form and injury has decimated Collingwood's forward line, with Darcy Moore, Jamie Elliott, Alex Fasolo and Dane Swan unavailable through injury and Travis Cloke out of form.
Cloke, Elliott and Swan have kicked just five goals between them this season after combining for 80 goals and 83 goals in the previous two years.
As a result of their absences, the Magpies have scored just 15 goals in the past two weeks and sit 13th on the table for points scored.
"We have been inconsistent with our effort, which leads into times in games where you have slip ups," Reid said.
"If we can get a consistent effort across the game, that is all we are asking."
Reid said the Magpies' form was frustrating but he was determined to help the team turn their efforts around after the bye.
"No-one likes losing and no-one likes playing average football," Reid said.
"It's all about just getting back on the horse."
