Yet if you talk to Carlton supporters at training, or peruse the club's unofficial website, you would be forgiven for thinking the Blues were already 0-11 in the home-and-away season.

It's a vibe coach Denis Pagan says he and his players try to avoid.

"You don't listen to them, just keep away from negative people," he said after training this week. "They will swallow you in their own pit of gloom.

"You focus on things you have control over.

"I think it's an Australian trait. A lot of people find excitement and glee in being negative."

Pagan was always an avid reader and listener of what had been written and said about him and his team.

If he didn't like it, he would make it clear. But this year Pagan, at least for now, says he will take a more relaxed approach to criticism.

Obviously read too much Synbad for his own liking.

Perhaps we should have a "Denis Thread....the Positive thread"?

Then when he's down; he can spark himself up in his own thread?

I reckon Denis would be a fantastic Warrenite.

Pagan's not the only one sick of the negativity....If I want to hear whinging and negative comments I can always visit my folks!

The communications department do peruse all the Carlton forums, but not much more than reading the thread titles though, nothing too in depth I think.

Is that your impression Molsey, d-boy?