Carlton coach Michael Voss maintains his players are invested in turning around the Blues' crumbling AFL season despite a report of friction within the group.
The Blues have lost seven of their last eight matches to fast be slipping out of contention to break the club's 10-year finals drought.
A report on the Nine Network's Footy Classified on Monday night claimed Voss was coaching for his career and alleged "factions were developing" amongst the players.
But Voss found those claims a "little unusual".
"I feel that they're quite spirited, and they're really clear on what we need to be able to do," Voss said about his players on Thursday.
"I think they're just totally invested in making sure that they get that change.
"We're obviously disappointed that we sort of haven't been able to live up to our own expectations around we want to be able to play and we just want to get after that."
Carlton being a traditional powerhouse falling well below expectations set out for them this season has created daily criticism of the club.
The Blues have been booed off by supporters multiple times this season and pressure has extended to board and management level.
Voss said some negative commentary was inevitable following a run of defeats.
"We have to spend the energy in the right areas, and that has to be on our planning and preparation and how we connect as a footy team and keep reinforcing the environment we want to have," he said.
"That's what I've been really impressed with about the playing group is that despite some results not going exactly the way we want it, despite there being some added commentary around us, despite some things about what they think is happening versus what's not happening, we've been sticking to our task and and the players are getting after that challenge.
"It hasn't all ticked over, but they're saying staying true to it and challenging each other on it and reinforcing the things that we're doing really well."
Carlton have the two most recent Coleman medallists in their forward line, but their scoring power has been lacklustre, ranking 15th in attack this season.
Their powerful and ominous 8-2 start to the 2022 season was built on the back of aggressive and attacking football.
"They have to coexist (attack and defence)," Voss said.
"The defensive mechanics that you want, and the territory you get on the field is clearly important.
"But the other side of the ball is about your efficiency and being able to finish your play so they have to live together."
