CARLTON coach Brendon Bolton had little time for speaking about the positives to come out of another tight loss for the Blues, admitting he was swept up in the emotion of the defeat to Collingwood.

The Blues led the Pies late into the final quarter of a hard-fought clash at the MCG, before the premiership contenders kicked five straight goals to overrun Bolton's men.

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Carlton has spruiked its growth this season without posting the results – they are 1-7 after eight rounds. However, Bolton did not want to do that after the 19-point loss to the Magpies.

"Is the timing right to talk about all the positivity right now? Because we've just lost," he said.

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"We're annoyed with it. There's heaps going right but there's some moments like that second half of the last quarter that's [saying to] my moral compass, 'Don't answer all the positivity just right now'."

Carlton fans were sent into a spin when the Blues kicked three straight goals in the middle of the last quarter before the Magpies dragged the game their way.

Bolton said he was "feeling the emotion of our supporters", before saying the Blues' run of competitive performances without reward was frustrating.

"That is the reality. Every game we've been right in it and we haven't got a result. The guys are cracking in," he said.

"You've got to live it and learn it, and we're learning the hard way because the close losses haven't gone our way at the moment."

Carlton has lost five games by less than 20 points this season. Bolton said it was the Pies' midfield which broke the game open in the final stages.

"I think there was nine or 10 lead changes in that game. We went toe-to-toe with a heavyweight club that's going pretty well at the moment. And then six minutes to go I think the pressure of their midfield got on top," he said.

"There were too many entries, and then we made some mistakes on the way out."

Carlton was awarded just eight free kicks for the game to Collingwood's 24, but Bolton refused to be drawn on the differential.

Kade Simpson is considered a chance to return from his hamstring strain against the Giants next week, while Nic Newman (knee) will also be hoping to prove his fitness during the week.