Carlton players have vowed to do whatever it takes to turn around the club’s on-field woes, as the Blues prepare for another tough week.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s being said in the media today:
No leadership void for Blues, says Simpson
AFL.com.au – Nat Edwards
Carlton is floundering at 0-4 this season, but vice-captain Kade Simpson denies there has been a lack of on-field leadership at the club.
Following the Blues' shock 23-point loss to Melbourne on Saturday, football manager Andrew McKay said he felt Carlton was "probably lacking a little bit in on-field leadership".
But Simpson has backed his skipper Marc Murphy, and insisted there are no issues with on-field leadership at the Blues
Kade Simpson defends Carlton leadership group
The Age – Jesse Hogan
Carlton leaders Kade Simpson and Lachie Henderson say a lack of confidence, rather than a lack of class, is the winless club's biggest problem, and that hard work is the only way to revive their morale and their season aspirations.
Andrew McKay says Mick Malthouse still the man to take Carlton forward
The Age – Daniel Cherny
Mick Malthouse remains the man best suited to take Carlton forward, but there is a dearth of leaders across the Blues' playing ranks, according to the club's football operations manager Andrew McKay.
Speaking to 3AW on Sunday following the Blues' shock 23-point loss to lowly Melbourne, McKay firmly defended the club's decision to hire its under-fire coach.
"Mick obviously has an enormous amount of experience, he's been down this road before himself, he's done it before at other clubs," McKay said.
"If anyone is going to pull us out of this, Mick's the man to do it."
Message for Carlton: no messiahs in the modern game
The Age – Rohan Connolly
Carlton is a club with major issues at several levels. Its players lack fight and on-field direction. Coach Mick Malthouse has changed his tune and whatever message he’s sending now isn’t getting through. And the Blues’ administration is paying a price for having overestimated the team’s capabilities.
The Tackle: Mark Robinson says Dale Thomas is coasting as Blues face on-field crisis
Herald Sun – Mark Robinson
Richmond has forgotten how to play but Carlton is worse — the Blues can’t play, or for some reason, they won’t play.
The Blues have issues everywhere.
The players lack confidence in themselves and each other so there is little risk in their football. There is a disconnect between the coach and the players, in the sense that Mick Malthouse’s demands are not being met.
Blues vice-captain Kade Simpson defends leadership group but says side has ‘passengers’
Herald Sun – Jay Clark
Carlton is carrying “a couple of passengers” and failing to follow Mick Malthouse’s coaching instructions, according to vice-captain Kade Simpson.
The Blues cut forlorn figures as they arrived at Visy Park this morning after Saturday’s loss to Melbourne left Carlton winless from four rounds.
Simpson denied the team was suffering from a lack of on-field leadership but put the blame on the players for not implementing Malthouse’s plans.
Carlton power figures push for radical club rebuild after embarrassing 0-4 start to season
Herald Sun – Jon Ralph and Michael Warner
Carlton could start its radical club rebuild in coming weeks with coach Mick Malthouse the only key pillar left untouched by the end of 2014.
Powerbrokers agitating for change at Carlton are predicting major turnover in the days after the Easter break following Round 5.
Some key figures are overseas in the week leading into Easter, but those calling for a major clean-out held key talks again after Sunday’s humbling loss to Melbourne.
