THERE are some footballers who lose the plot when told to sit in a different seat in the dressing room.
So when a new manager comes in and next thing motivational quotes and passages appear on the wall and, perhaps for the first time, players are encouraged to think about the mental side of the game, it could cause widespread panic.
Not so at Kilmarnock, especially goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald who has embraced the new and what to some will be radically different regime introduced by Lee Clark.
He is just weeks away from turning 30 but MacDonald has no qualms about being asked to think about his football a bit differently after all his years as a pro. Indeed, he has always wondered why Scotland is backwards in coming forwards about what goes on inside the head.
“For me, there is not enough emphasis placed onto the mental side of the game," said MacDonald. "There is almost a stigma surrounding it in this country.
People don’t want to talk about it, as it’s seen as a bit geeky.
“I see it is a problem with the Scottish game in many aspects. I’d imagine if you go abroad, you’ll see it gets done more.
“Me? I think the mental side and psychology is a massive part of football and there is not enough of it. Whether it be inspirational words or pictures which make you think positively, or whatever it is.
“The older I have got, the more I have become open to these things. When you are younger, you just think one way. I’ll come in, train, then I’ll play.
“But I’m starting to think that you need to work on the mental aspect. It’s a job like anything else and you have your own issues at home likely everyone else.
“The manager is talking about these things such as putting images on the walls and stuff and it can work.
“It’s about getting on board with his thoughts and ideas and, if we can start using that type of thing and it helps, then it’s a good thing, isn’t it?”
MacDonald has always been a bright sort and is a deep thinker about Scottish football and how it is viewed by ourselves. That is usually from behind a couch with a frown on our faces.
“Our game gets put-down a lot and yet it’s nowhere as bad as some people say," said the Kilmarnock man. "We put ourselves down, yet look at the way they talk about the English Premier League. They market themselves as the best league in the world.
“Arguably in terms of excitement levels and teams beating other teams and producing unexpected results, it maybe is. But in terms of quality, it’s nowhere near. The English teams can’t live with the Spanish teams.
“Look at Manchester United last week, they lost to a Danish side in Europe. Yet that won’t stop England from saying it’s the best league in the world because they are positive and talk themselves up.
“The British mentality in general is quite negative, from a social aspect never mind football. But if we were more positive and big-upped the game, it would help."
And at least there is some positivity at Rugby Park since Gary Locke left. Performances have improved. A parting of the ways was for the best.
“No disrespect to Gary Locke, but sometimes things happen and you need a change," said MacDonald.
“I won’t say a bad word about Lockey. He was absolutely massive for my career and he was hugely popular among the boys. It just didn’t seem to work out and that can happen. There has been a lift and our last four results have been very encouraging."
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