Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says the Magpies are prepared to "grind it out" as they attempt to recapture confidence and form against Melbourne on Sunday. 

He said the Magpies would take a back to basics approach after admitting the team had been too easy to play against in the round three loss to St Kilda.

He said the team's defensive mechanisms needed to improve and there had been some slight tinkering to adjust to what the opposition was throwing at them. 

"There is no doubt we'll be grinding out the next couple of weeks to perform at a competitive level," Buckley said.

"Clearly we want to win games of footy, but we are all about getting the basics right first and foremost."

Collingwood, who have used more players than any other team this season (29 players), conceded 114 more uncontested possessions to the Saints and gave the opposition too much space.

The coach said the return of Travis Varcoe from injury and Steele Sidebottom from suspension will certainly help, but acknowledged the performances should have been better in the first three rounds.

"We've started poorly, there is no doubt but our season is not over and we still have high hopes and expectations … we clearly need to come out with a little more intent than we have for the most part of the first three rounds," Buckley said. 

He said there was a risk the Pies would become too dour, but the coach was prepared to live with that while the ship was being righted.

Buckley said the use of champion midfielder Scott Pendlebury in defence was not necessarily a poor decision but was reliant on other players emerging in different roles.

He also defended the use of Travis Cloke at centre bounces saying it freed up the key forward's mind and provided some relief to Brodie Grundy.

Buckley said club President Eddie McGuire demanded high performance and the heat was on everyone at the club in that regard.

"His support has been really evident but the expectation of performance is really clear," Buckley said.

"The thing Eddie says first is 'Is there anything I can do to help?'"