Carlton sunk to a third straight loss on Sunday and while there’s no “quick fix” for coach Michael Voss, the team needs to “stick fat”, according to Leigh Montagna.
The Blues have now lost four of their past five games – with their win coming against a lowly West Coast outfit by more than 100 points.
But alarm bells have been ringing as first their forward line and then highly rated midfield started to crumble.
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Montagna believes the Blues aren’t far off – and with games to come against an underperforming Sydney, Melbourne, Essendon, Gold Coast and Hawthorn, he can see them turning their season around.
“They need to not get impatient – there’s no quick fix or easy solution for where they are at,” he said on First Crack.
“This club just need to roll their sleeves up, get to work, continue to find solutions for their problems… and understand it’s going to take time – they can change their fortunes around, and it can be this year.
Collingwood give Carlton the Blues | 02:29
“They’ve had five coaches in 10 years so getting rid of the coach is not the answer at all.
“They just need to be bold in what they do as a footy club, stick fat, keep evolving their game plan … there is no easy out.
“Work together, dig in and they can come through this.
“I’ve still got faith with Michael Voss and Patrick Cripps leading this team they can come out the other side.
“As much as it seems like they’re a mile off, in some other ways they are not that far off.
“They just haven’t got it all to click yet.”
But fellow First Crack panellist David King wasn’t so certain about the Blues, accusing the side of being in “real trouble” looking at their efforts against Collingwood on Sunday.
“There’s no one to use – there’s no support (in the contest),” King highlighted.
Carlton Blues press conference | 09:36
“There’s six ‘Pies there so there’s six Blues on the outside somewhere… he can’t give it to a friend because they are charging forward and going to spots where they absolutely do not help or assist the ball carrier.
“This is damning. This is system.
“This is in real trouble.
“There is no one running in a wave or from behind in support. They are vacating and charging forward for their own personal reward.
“It’s a major issue – I don’t see them getting out of this for some time now.
“I’ve been a believer, I like Michael Voss … but they’ve got a big challenge on their hands now to get team rather than individual.”
Montagna agreed the footage from Sunday’s loss wasn’t where Carlton needed to be, but saw enough promising signs.
“The biggest thing for that footy club is not to fracture internally. Not to start pointing fingers at each other,” he said.
“There were still some signs… some strong signs in the second half they are still giving effort and defending much better.
“Their clearance game is still coming back.
“I thought Harry McKay showed some signs with his kicking.
“I’m not giving up on the Blues just yet.”