COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley has defended the club's decision to recruit experienced duo Chris Mayne and Daniel Wells. 

And the Magpies' coach says he "absolutely" wants to remain in the top job beyond this season. 

Mayne has managed just three games due to form since arriving from Fremantle, while ex-Kangaroo Wells had a delayed start with a calf injury and strained the muscle against the Dockers in round 11 – in only his sixth game for the Magpies. 

Buckley said both Mayne and Wells still had much to offer, particularly the latter.

"'Mayney' is not going as well as we thought that he might … (but) he's played 180 games, he's played finals (and) he's kicked 40 goals twice in two seasons," Buckley told Channel Nine on Monday night.

"Wells has been a little bit hit and miss with injury, but I still think there's plenty to play out there. 

"If we have Wells up at the right time – and that's still an if – he'll make a significant difference to our best footy and that's why we picked him. 

"We're absolutely committed to Mayne and finding out what his best football can be (and) he'll have a say in it."

Meanwhile, when asked whether he wished to coach Collingwood next year, Buckley said: "Absolutely". 

The Magpies' coach clarified his position about his future. 

"I have an assessment of how I'm going inside as well, whether people are responding to me … (and) whether I'm aligned with where the club is going – that's all things that need to be part of the discussion," Buckley said. 

"In the end, it doesn't matter what I say or do, it matters on the performances that we put out on the park, not only in the first part of the year but in the back half of the year."

Last week, Buckley said he would not seek an extension on his contract if he did not feel he was the right man to lead the club, saying it was a "two-way street". 

"I've got confidence in myself but the fact is, that's a judgement that I have to make as well," Buckley said last Monday. 

"It's not a fait accompli that we just rollover."