David King believes the Blues only have themselves to blame for heaping the pressure on Michael Voss and a performance against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night.
In what has been a big news week for Carton, comments from CEO Brian Cook and midfielder Adam Cerra angered fans when suggesting finals this season isn’t the be-all and end-all for the club.
Cook pre-game last week said it wouldn’t be the end of the world if Carlton missed finals for a 10th straight season, while Cerra explained that he “definitely wouldn’t call it a failure” if the Blues were absent in September.
David King believes Cook – a veteran footy administrator – was most at fault.
“Don’t create the story … they’ve fuelled the fire this week,” King told SEN’s Crunch Time.
“It all stems back to the coach, the coach has to stand there (and live by the comments).
“Then you’ve got a player who’s not really skilled in this area fronting the media and probably didn’t help the situation. I’m not going to bash Adam Cerra for that, but I think Brian needed to be better.
“You’ve got to walk into those interviews ready for that question.”
King also agreed that it should have been captain Patrick Cripps doing Monday’s press conference to send a stronger message to Blues fans.
The Blues are still holding onto a top-eight spot, but only just after losing three of their last four games.
Saturday’s game against the Bulldogs now looms as defining. Carlton was destined to play finals in 2023 after its near miss in Voss’ first year and the Dogs are a team that would have started outsiders against Carlton at the start of the year.
The footy world will know plenty about where the Blues sit amongst the competition after Round 9, but it’s pressure the club shouldn’t have to be under.
“That’s where I think they’ve let themselves down,” King continued on the pressure the club has put on itself.
“All of this pressure doesn’t happen if you’re ready for that interview and that question.
“I’m not as forgiving on this one because that’s why you’re in these positions.
“That’s a big error to put your coach in the cauldron in Round 9. That’s where they are.
“There’s no other option but to win tonight. But it shouldn’t be this desperate at this stage.”
Saturday night’s game begins at 7:30pm under the roof at Marvel Stadium.