ADAM Simpson has no problems blocking "out the noise" about his coaching future at West Coast, accepting that criticism and pressure comes with the territory.
Simpson's position has been questioned by some vocal critics in recent weeks after costly fourth-quarter fadeouts against Collingwood and St Kilda put the Eagles in serious jeopardy of missing finals.
But the fourth-year coach, who is contracted until the end of 2019, is concentrating on the job at hand with the Eagles facing a must-win home clash against Carlton on Saturday night.
"That's (criticism) part of the job. It's what you get. Everyone goes through it, you've got stick the course, block out the noise and get on with it, so I'm not worried about it at all," Simpson said.
"It doesn't matter (if it's fair). Everyone's got agendas, it's all fine, I'll stick to mine.
"I just concentrate on my job. It's really good learning for me really to go through these type of situations, you just get on with it.
"We stick to our processes and stick to short and long-term visions."
Simpson saw the funny side when he was asked at his Friday media conference if Rodney Eade's sacking at Gold Coast reminded him how perilous senior coaching can be.
"Are you serious?" he said with a laugh.
"What's that got to do with me? I'm trying to win this week.
"To answer your question, you send 'Rocket' a text message and you have empathy for what he's going through."
The Eagles slipped to ninth after their shattering loss to the Saints and are frustrated by their inability to play four quarters.
West Coast is ranked second in the competition for time in front this season but only has a 10-9 win-loss record to show for it.
"The sense of another one that got away from us was difficult to digest for all of us," Simpson said.
"So there's a sense of anger about that, but there's still a sense of resolve about our group."
West Coast probably needs to win at least two of the last three games to be any chance of reaching a third-straight finals campaign.
Tough challenges against GWS and Adelaide are on the horizon but the Blues – led by dominant ruckman Matthew Kreuzer – will be no pushovers.
"We're not in a position to look past this week at all. We haven't won two in a row since round seven," Simpson said.
"To think that we're looking ahead … we're fighting for our lives this week."
Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis returns on Saturday night after being overlooked against the Saints and could be suited by the expected wet conditions.
Speedster Lewis Jetta has overcome a calf strain, while Nathan Vardy is back to help Drew Petrie combat Kreuzer in the pivotal ruck battle.
Meanwhile, the Eagles released footage of Nic Naitanui jumping at a centre bounce at training on Friday but the star big man's playing comeback is still uncertain.
"It's for next year probably, but he's training for the now and we'll keep him going," Simpson said.
"It's great to have a recruit like that coming into the side at some stage.
"We'll park the enthusiasm until he's actually available and we can play him, but it's just good for him to be in the right space mentally and to see him run around."
