AFTER dropping from fourth to sixth on the ladder following consecutive losses, Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley remains confident his team can close the gap on the top teams.
Why?
"Faith," the Magpie coach said on Wednesday.
On Sunday night his team faces traditional rival Carlton – who have won just four games in 2014 – coached by his predecessor at the Magpies, Mick Malthouse.
Not everything is in Collingwood's favour.
Nick Maxwell is still on the sidelines, his heir apparent Tom Langdon faces a concussion test on Friday and Jesse White is battling to have an impact.
Collingwood is also missing Ben Reid, who would play forward if fit, key defender Nathan Brown, and Alex Fasolo, who could play at either end.
Still Buckley carries a strong faith that this group can be a contender in 2014.
"It comes from action and it comes from demonstration ultimately, but you need to have the faith before that," Buckley said.
On the positive side, Steele Sidebottom returns after serving a three-week suspension and defensive forward Tyson Goldsack will play if he gets through training.
Buckley puts the inconsistent form (three wins and three losses in the past six weeks) down to a team still learning the ropes.
It is, as he says, no excuse but a reflection of a team in transition.
"We're still a young side that is learning to play consistent footy," Buckley said.
"That's not an excuse. It's not a cop out, because our expectations of all our players is that you go and play your role and you play it with 100 per cent efficiency and trust that everyone else is going to play their roles."
Buckley notes the team's defensive standards have dropped below par in recent times but doesn't harp on it.
He knows improvement is needed in all parts of the ground and many aspects of the Magpies' game.
"Our heaviest scores have been with two-four set up [two talls and four smalls] with Clokey [Travis Cloke] and our resting ruckman so we're still working out what that looks like that."
Does Jesse White need to do more?
"Jesse has more in him. Like any player we just need Jesse to play his role. There’s not a lot of competition in that role at the moment so we need him to stand up but he is one part of that forward line that has been kicking a lot of goals."
Is Kyle Martin in the mix for senior selection?
"Probably Ben Kennedy is the best performed of our VFL players if you stopped the music right now," said Buckley.
Should specialist ruckmen Brodie Grundy and Jarrod Witts play in the same team?
"Depending on form. It's something we've done before and something we'll do again no doubt."
Buckley and Witts have dealt with the public dressing down delivered in full view of the cameras last Saturday.
"Wittsy and I have spoken about it, dealt with it and we move on," Buckley said.
Chatting is not something he's likely to do with Malthouse when the pair sit down on Thursday at a breakfast to support the Peter Mac Cup that the two clubs play for on Sunday.
"I don't reckon we will (wish each other luck) because we're combatants, so I don't want to see him do well on the weekend and I'm sure he doesn't want to see me do well," Buckley said.
