Carlton has moved to defuse the panic surrounding the possibility it may break its worst-ever losing streak this weekend.

If the Blues lose to Collingwood at the MCG this Sunday they will have extended their losing streak to 15 games in succession.

The side's previous worst run was 14 losses in a row spanning the 1901-02 seasons, but coach Brett Ratten shrugged off the relevance.

"We sort of really don't focus on the records because that involved other people, a different coach, a different playing list," Ratten said.

"We've changed our playing list and we're really worried about 2008.

"Regardless of whether we were 3-0 or 0-3, to play Collingwood at the MCG with our young kids in front of hopefully 80,000, it's a fantastic experience and learning lesson for them."

The Blues lost to Essendon last week in a high-scoring game in which Ratten said his team produced a lopsided effort.

"When you reflect on that performance and some of the individuals I think we would have had close to six of the six best players on the ground," he said.

"But I think it was the contribution from some of the other 13 or 14 players that let the team down a little bit."

He said the positive signs came from Brendan Fevola who kicked eight goals, Eddie Betts, captain Chris Judd, Nick Stevens and Marc Murphy and young defender Michael Jamison.

"It just reminds me as a coach and all coaches that you need a real team performance.

"When you look at Collingwood pretty much every week they get at least 18 contributors.

"There might be a couple that might not have the best of days but they have a lot of contributors in their team and that's where we need to get to to make sure that everyone has a say in the game.

Young ruckman Matthew Kreuzer made a bright debut against Essendon last week but Rattan was happy to keep a lid on expectations for the Blues' No.1 pick in last year's national draft.

"You look at a lot of kids in their first game and they usually have a pretty good first game," Ratten said.

"The energy's up and away they go. It's second up that there's sometimes a fall away and that's the challenge for Matthew.

"But he's one of these kids who is really switched on, he's very focused.

"He says nothing off the field - his nickname's Humphrey like Humphrey B Bear because he says nothing - but on the ground he speaks, he's a leader, he talks, he instructs and from our point of view he's developing really well," he said.

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