Carlton coach David Teague concedes finals are no longer on his AFL side's radar as they seek to "stick together" and go back to basics.
The 14th-placed Blues slipped to 4-8 after losing Sunday's clash with West Coast at the SCG.
A frustrated Teague admits the power club, now 0-7 against top-eight teams this season, has not improved in the fashion they'd hoped for in 2021.
"You can tell by the results. We're not getting the results we should be able to ... we're not consistent enough to beat good, quality teams," Teague said.
"We're not playing with a lot of confidence and belief.
"No doubt our fans will be really flat and frustrated with that (loss to the Eagles). They deserve better.
"It (finals) is absolutely an uphill battle ... it's going to be more about how we train, prepare and execute.
"We're not executing in the manner that you need to do to win.
"I'm frustrated we're not playing the brand of footy we want to play."
Carlton have not faced heavy criticism for much of this year but, as Teague noted, that is likely to change as players return home and take a few days off ahead of their mid-season bye.
Teague used a Denis Paganism when asked about Carlton's rut that has now resulted in four losses from five games, noting skill execution would be the focus ahead of a post-bye clash with GWS.
"An old coach of mine used to talk about going down to Puckle St and getting some confidence; it doesn't happen," Teague said.
"We just need to do the hard work and stick together.
"That's one of the real challenges right now, people are going to want to pull you apart.
"But we're going to stick together, stay strong and work really hard. I know this group will do it ... they'll fight really hard to get better."
Teague agreed with former St Kilda and Fremantle coach Ross Lyon's assessment that Carlton had too many passengers during Sunday's defeat.
"We faded. It was left to too few," he said.
"We needed more guys to step up and crack in, compete.
"They were harder, tougher ... we've got some work to do. A lot of work to do.
"This group has a lot better football in them."
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