Far from worrying about Collingwood’s short AFL break, captain Scott Pendlebury says it is just what the Magpies need.

The Magpies have only five days between Tuesday’s Anzac Day loss to Essendon and their next match against unbeaten Geelong at the MCG.

Losing to the Bombers has left Collingwood in a 1-4 hole and intensified speculation about the future of coach Nathan Buckley but Pendlebury, fuming about his own poor game against Essendon, said the short break can work to the Magpies’ advantage.

“Playing on a five-day break after a loss is the best thing that can happen,” he said in a club podcast.

“You get a chance to go back out there so quickly, you don’t have to wait.

“Last week, just waiting nine days to play Anzac Day after the St Kilda game, you want to get back out there as quick as you can, to address the issues.”

Pendlebury only had 20 disposals against Essendon and said it was his worst game in a decade.

The 29-year-old said he was ill before the previous week’s loss to St Kilda. He offered no excuses for his poor Anzac Day performance amid speculation he is carrying an injury, saying he had done the most running against Essendon out of his five matches so far this season, but simply played poorly.

“Yesterday was my worst game that I’ve played in 10 years,” he said.

“I just wasn’t impactful.

“It certainly wasn’t through a lack of effort or running or work rate.”

Pendlebury is usually among the Pies’ best on Anzac Day but said this year’s effort was one to forget.

“I was very disappointed … I was very filthy I didn’t play my part,” he said.

“It doesn’t sit well, knowing you let the side down.

While Collingwood are struggling, Pendlebury said they had identified their problems and are working hard to fix them.

“It’s going to take more than one week to fix, but hopefully it doesn’t take six or seven,” he said.