Carlton needs to forget about the win "everyone is screaming for" and just stick to the process against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday, Blues coach Mick Malthouse says.
The winless Blues have copped a media battering for dismal losses to Essendon and Melbourne in the past fortnight, with their effort and on-field leadership questioned.
But Malthouse said his players needed to forget about breaking their season duck and stay the course against a Bulldogs outfit which has won its last two games.
"They're a good football side, they demonstrated that in the last half of last year and they're 50-50 this year," Malthouse said at Visy Park on Saturday.
"So no victory is going to come easy and I think the most important (thing) that we focus in on is how hard we have to work to get into a position to win. Not about winning [itself].
"I think the massive difference is that if you focus on what everyone is screaming for, then you forget the technique.
"And the technique has got to be consistent and [we need] persistence in playing an opposition that is a very dogged side in one manner, but a highly-skilled side in another.
"The worst game we played was Essendon, make no mistake about it. And we're still trying to say 'well, what did take place against Essendon?'.
"But going forward we've ticked as many boxes as we can to find out why, we've rehearsed as many scenarios as we possibly could.
"I'll remain a process coach, so as long as we can keep working to the process then the wins will come."
The Blues welcome back former skipper Chris Judd from an Achilles injury this weekend, while key forward Jarrad Waite and midfielder Tom Bell have been recalled from the VFL.
Malthouse wouldn't say whether Judd's return would give his players a boost, but pumped up his leaders for helping to lift the playing group's confidence.
"Their confidence is fantastic. The way they've picked themselves up is a credit to the leadership group and them individually," he said.
"They've been outstanding all year on the training track.
"If it was based on training, I think we'd be in the top four. It's hard to judge because I don't know what other clubs do.
"But our training has been very good. Very encouraging, no heads down.”
Malthouse eased concerns over Dale Thomas' shoulder, saying the prized recruit was "good”.
“No-one goes out there that can't get through a match," he said.
The Blues’ clash with the Bulldogs begins at Etihad Stadium at 4.40pm (AEST) on Sunday.
