Carlton assistant coach Alan Richardson says the AFL club’s embattled head coach Brett Ratten is remaining positive and upbeat despite his uncertain future.

There is strong speculation that Ratten will be replaced by former Collingwood premiership coach Mick Malthouse, although the Blues have said no decision will be made before Carlton’s season ends against St Kilda on Sunday.

But Richardson defended Ratten’s performance and said the coach’s only focus was to finish the season strongly against the Saints and help the team atone for last round’s shock loss to Gold Coast, which ended their finals hopes.

“He’s incredibly optimistic and positive about coaching the team to respond to the weekend,” Richardson told reporters on Wednesday.

“In Brett Ratten’s mind right now, from what we see as coaches, it’s about making up for an incredibly disappointing performance.

“It’s got nothing to do with Brett Ratten in terms of his own future.

“It’s all about making sure that we respond as a footy club and a footy team this week.”

Ratten was originally scheduled to front Wednesday’s media conference, before the club made a switch on Tuesday night, deciding not to subject the coach to further public scrutiny.

But Richardson defended Ratten’s performance, saying if Carlton could beat the Saints on Sunday and finish with a 12-10 record, that would be a decent achievement given their bad run with injuries.

“It’s been a reasonably successful season given the circumstances,” Richardson said.

“There’s other footy clubs in the competition that have struggled when they’ve had key personnel out.”

He described Ratten as a selfless, outstanding person and a great coach and felt the players would agree.

“If you’re asking me do I think the players are supportive of the coaching group and Brett Ratten, I think they’re absolutely supportive,” he said.