Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley is still under pressure despite the Magpies’ recent run of good form

COLLINGWOOD is 5-6 but we are none the wiser about Nathan Buckley which means the next 11 games will have a big bearign on his future, writes MARK ROBINSON.

Nathan Buckley at Collingwood training this week ahead of the Queen’s Birthday clash. Picture: David Smith

FORGET that Nathan Buckley indicated at the end of last season that it was finals or bust for him in 2017.

They are words he has had to carry because Buckley was being honest, as he always is.

The Magpies have hosed down those comments, declaring other factors would be considered.

Yet, as we assess at the bye breaks, we still don’t know what the pass mark is for the Collingwood coach.

NO DIESEL? GREATEST TEAM OF PAST 50 YEARS

‘EMBARRASSING’: BOMBER FANS BOO RYDER

MALTHOUSE: THE ONE TEAM READY FOR FINALS

Finals? Games won? Improvement in game style, communication? Belief that he continues to learn on the job and after six years, he’s ready to flourish?

Kevin Sheedy thinks so.

The legendary coach this week said Collingwood should reappoint Buckley.

“I don’t think Collingwood should ever think to get rid of Buckley at the present time after doing the hard yards,’’ Sheedy told Channel Seven. “If he gets in a Grand Final in the first 10 years, he’s done well.

“The next coach could be worse.’’

Nathan Buckley at Collingwood training this week ahead of the Queen’s Birthday clash. Picture: David Smith

The problem is the Magpies are 5-6 after 11 rounds and we are none the wiser about Buckley the coach from when the season started.

You can argue that’s a negative and a positive.

The negative is he’s coached 125 games and, most urgently, the next 11 matches will decide if he coaches next year. Can 11 games really determine if Buckley can coach or not after six years at the helm?

The positive is his team has won four of its past six matches, which includes a win over Geelong, and one of the losses was by three points at the death to flag favourite Greater Western Sydney.

TEAMS: MAGPIES LOSE STAR TRIO FOR CRUNCH CLASH

SCHACHE DEAL: HOW DO PIES, TIGERS, BLUES SOLVE FORWARD WOES NOW?

At quarter-time of the Hawthorn game, Buckley was gone. He joked that he was. So did the president, Eddie McGuire. They both survived and the two matches after that one, against the Brisbane Lions and Fremantle, were victories, the latter showing, more than at any other time this year, the resolve of the group.

The rollercoaster which is Buckley’s future comes week by week and, at times, quarter by quarter.

It makes him the most fascinating of coaches.

He enters Monday’s match against Melbourne with his future still up in the air.

A win and the decision-makers at Collingwood would be relieved.

You get the feeling the Pies want to recommit to Buckley — certainly McGuire does — and are hoping Buckley can make that decision easier with a productive run home. If the Pies play in September, you’d expect Buckley to get a new contract.

Absolutely the Pies have to wait.

In two of their most recent seasons, the Pies have stumbled for half a season. In 2014, they started 8-3 and came home 3-8. In 2015, they started 8-2 and came home 9-3. Last year they finished 9-13.

After a poor start this year — they were 2-6 — Collingwood has got its groove. Whether they can maintain it is the question.

The review of all operations is smart and needed. It’s not only about the coach, but all club operations. In the footy department, that includes trading, the types of players brought in (eg Chris Mayne), drafting and development.

Collingwood recorded a stirring win over Fremantle last Sunday. Picture: Getty

Who exactly decides on the coach?

Football boss Geoff Walsh is wise and experienced. He knows football and coaches. He will examine game plans, communication and will want feedback.

Clearly, Buckley knows his footy, but Walsh’s role will include a review into how the message is delivered, how it is received and the relationship between Buckley and individuals and the group. That’s not solving cancer because you suspect most teams have similar, but less-publicised examinations after every season.

The players will be a key stakeholder.

Walsh will get feedback from most, if not all of the playing group, and it will be paramount the players talk the truth.

From afar, Buckley has the players.

Their effort this year has wavered at times in games, but if the Fremantle win told us anything, it is the players play for each other and the coach.

It hasn’t always been the case and at those times, the fans become feral.

The fans hate it when their team loses the blockbuster encounters, as the Pies have this year to Richmond (Round 2), Essendon (Round 5) and Carlton (Round 7).

The Magpies were beaten by the Blues in their 125-year anniversary game.

When that happens, fans are menaced by friends and family, and then take to the airwaves & social media to vent their frustration.

Club legend Tony Shaw was filthy after the Carlton loss.

“It was poor as I’ve seen them,’’ Shaw said on 3AW. “It was a lack of intensity, they couldn’t handle the pressure, they didn’t commit to each other ... it was the worst game I’ve seen from a Collingwood side (for a long time).

“It hasn’t helped Nathan a loss like that.’’

Those comments, while fair, stoke the emotion and harm Buckley’s coaching future.

Clearly, a change has taken place. Either Buckley has changed his strategies or the players have adopted Buckley’s strategies and are playing better for it. Quick ball movement and corridor football is the go.

There are still questions about the forward line, notwithstanding the return of Jamie Elliott has seen the forward line suddenly look formidable.

Nathan Buckley delivered an almighty spray at quarter-time against Hawthorn and it sparked his players into action. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

It’s been said the forwards have let Buckley down, but on the flip side, maybe Buckley’s coaching has let down the forwards. Slow ball movement in the midfield doesn’t help forwards who lead, lead again and double back.

Just think of how many times Franklin or Kennedy or Jack Riewoldt lead out and take an easy mark and think how many times that happens in Collingwood games. It’s a work in progress.

Buckley is also a work in progress.

If the Collingwood board is similar to the Collingwood electorate, there will be divided opinions on the coach.

Is he a better coach than he was three years ago? Of course, but that doesn’t mean he is the coach to go forward with. It doesn’t mean he’s not because good form is winning form.

What it boils down to is the board has 11 games to come to a conclusion.

That they haven’t made up their mind yet means Buckley is under as much pressure as he was when the season started.