While Collingwood’s current coaching situation is creating a media circus outside the walls of the Lexus Centre, midfielder Scott Pendlebury believes that the playing group and the football department are both firmly focused on the task at hand.

“We know Mick is our coach for this year and what happens beyond that is out of our control,” Pendlebury told PieCast on Magpie Radio this week.

“It would be silly for us to get caught up in that.”

The 21-year-old was adamant that his teammates don’t pay attention to what is said in the papers and on the airwaves because the focus is solely on the current task at hand.

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“We are happy with Mick but if the club wants to go a different way, that’s out of our control.

“Every week we have to look at a new opposition so we have more things to worry about then a coaching spot.”

Since injuring his knee against Sydney in round 12, Pendlebury is averaging 22 possessions a match, well down on his 31 disposal average prior to the injury.

“It’s (the knee) is good.  Initially when I came back, I was a bit nervous.  I only trained the day before the game and I got the all clear to play.  It’s held up and has gotten stronger and stronger each week.

“I am pretty close back to normal.  Last week it felt really good.  The only restricting part is the taping but if it’s not there then I probably wouldn’t be playing.