It's no secret that Collingwood are in a bad form slump.
After struggling to beat the Bulldogs in round 14, they've since fallen to North Melbourne and Hawthorn in games that would have been pencilled in as easy wins earlier in the year.
Former AFL coach Terry Wallace has defended Collingwood's forwards, in particular Mason Cox, who have copped the brunt of the blame for the drop in form.
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Speaking on SEN, Wallace said ball movement is the real issue.
“They’re not moving the ball,” Wallace said.
“If you get 16 inside 50s in a half, how are your forwards going to get any real supply?
“That’s been Collingwood’s lot. I don’t really blame the forwards.
“I think it’s more the interceptors down back (Jeremy Howe and Tom Langdon) going out of the team that starts your flow going.
“They look like they are playing in quicksand at the moment.”
Collingwood will look to bounce back against reigning premier West Coast at Optus Stadium tonight, in arguably their toughest test yet.
However, Eagles coach Adam Simpson isn't expecting an easy fight from the Pies.
"How do you define under pressure? They're third on the ladder, they've (only) lost one more game than us for the year," Simpson said.
"Their form might be a little bit off, but what we're seeing in the personnel and the talent on the track is still pretty good.
"We're aware of their best."
Mason Cox may not be looking forward to the clash, as last time Cox took on West Coast in Perth, he was held goalless from five touches by Eagles defender Tom Barrass.
One of the other key battles tonight will be in the ruck, where returning Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui will take on Pie Brodie Grundy.
Last week, Naitanui helped the Eagles boot 12 goals to nil from stoppages.
Coach Simpson couldn't be happier with how he's recovering after games.
"Sometimes when Nic gets sore he can't train during the week and that fuels game time and getting up for each week, and that normally points to he needs a week off," Simpson said.
"But two games in he's pulled up quite well, and he's ready to go."