Carlton is floundering at 0-4 this season, but vice-captain Kade Simpson denies there has been a lack of on-field leadership at the club.

Following the Blues' shock 23-point loss to Melbourne on Saturday, football manager Andrew McKay said he felt Carlton was "probably lacking a little bit in on-field leadership".

But Simpson has backed his skipper Marc Murphy, and insisted there are no issues with on-field leadership at the Blues.

"No, I don't think it's a problem," Simpson said on Monday morning.

"We've probably lacked 22 contributors out there and you're not going to win too many games of footy [with that]. 

"It's so competitive these days, if you have a couple of passengers you're not going to win.

"I think we've got a great leadership group. [Marc] Murphy's leading by example, so I think we need 22 guys to put their hands up and all lead by example."

Former skipper Chris Judd has been a notable absentee in Carlton's opening four rounds and is on track to return from an Achilles injury this Sunday against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

Simpson said Judd would be a welcome boost to the side but warned the playing group can't afford to rely on him to pull the Blues out of its slump. 

"He's obviously going to be a handy player when he does come back but we're definitely not relying on him," Simpson said.

"He's not going to be the saviour and the fix. He's not going to come back and we're going to all click. We've just got to keep working hard and when he does come back, it will just be a bonus."

Last month coach Mick Malthouse said the Blues were "approaching 11" on his premiership clock, but that now appears overly optimistic, with many questioning the quality of Carlton's list. 

Simpson and teammate Lachie Henderson were both quick to defend Malthouse, insisting the blame laid squarely with the players, who were lacking in on-field confidence. 

The vice-captain said he still believed the Blues' list had the making of a premiership side.

No concerns [about the list]," Simpson said.

"I think when Mick got to Collingwood it was a similar situation. They were low, and then within a few years he got them to back-to-back grand finals so he's been through it all before and I'm sure he knows what he's doing."