Carlton midfielder Kade Simpson has defended his coach Brett Ratten and said the playing group takes full responsibility for disappointing recent performances.
Despite a terrific start to the year which included victories over 2009 grand finalists Geelong and St Kilda, Carlton's 39-point loss to Sydney on Sunday saw it slip to eighth on the ladder with North Melbourne snapping at its heels.
Ratten shouldered the blame on Sunday night in his post-match media conference saying 'the onus is on me (to restore that confidence)' and that the Blues 'look like a team that's lost confidence in our pursuit to play in finals again'.
But Simpson went in to bat for the Blues' legend.
"We take full responsibility," Simpson told reporters on Monday.
"Brett's maybe just saying that in the media but we, as the players, definitely take responsibility for how we're starting (matches)."
"Brett's up in the coaches' box. He can't really do much once the game's started. He can pull a few changes but it's definitely on us once the game starts."
The Blues have lost four of their past five matches, with recent losses to fellow top-eight contenders Western Bulldogs and Sydney particularly disappointing.
The Carlton faithful vented their frustration with loud boos ringing around Etihad Stadium at the final siren on Sunday.
"During the game you don't really notice it (booing) too much. After the game you look back at it," he said.
Carlton's poor starts have become a worrying trend, with the Blues having kicked a combined total of just five goals in their last five first quarters as opposed to the opposition's 20.
Simpson admitted it had become a problem.
"The starts are crucial these days. Most sides who lead at quarter-time go on with it. We've tried a few different things in the warm-up and I think we are just going to have to keep trying. Training has been really good and we are real happy with it, but we don't really have an answer at the moment," he said.
"We are just going to have to keep trying things until something works."
The Blues have an opportunity to bounce back when they take on the bottom-placed West Coast Eagles on Saturday night at Subiaco Oval.
Young midfielder Kane Lucas will miss the game with a hamstring injury but should be replaced by the returning Ryan Houlihan.