Lewis plans to be talk of town by keeping his mind on match
Barry Robson was an all-action midfielder who left nothing on the pitch as a player.
But he admits the first few weeks of his new Aberdeen coaching role have left him mentally drained.
Robson is loving his early days working under boss Derek McInnes after retiring as a player last season.
And the 37-year- old is hoping to play his part in helping the club reach the Europa League group stages for the first time in eight years.
Robson hung up his boots after almost 20 years as a player, in a career that took him from Caley Thistle to Canada.
But he finished up with his hometown club and is now taking his first steps in coaching having made the move from dressing-room to dug-out.
It was in the back row of the stand in the Olimpiskais Stadium in Latvia where he could be found on Thursday night as he watched Aberdeen beat Ventspils.
Adam Rooney’s late goal secured a 4- 0 aggregate victory for the Dons to set up a Europa League third qualifying round against Maribor.
Robson revealed the joy of victory was barely over in Ventspils when meticulous McInnes already had them looking ahead to the Slovenians.
And it is that relentless preparation
Joe Lewis reckons it’s good to talk – to keep himself focused during quiet spells at Aberdeen.
The Dons keeper says he’s had to adapt to his game now he’s playing for a team who will dominate matches.
Lewis has been kept busy at previous clubs, particularly Blackpool two seasons ago when they were relegated from the Championship.
He reckons it will be different in a lot of matches now so is chatting to his teammates to keep his focus.
Lewis was a standout in Dons’ 1- 0 win over Ventspils in midweek with a stunning firsthalf penalty save and other fine stops.
But in the first leg Lewis was idle as Aberdeen eased to a 3- 0 win at Pittodrie.
He sa id : “I ’ m hoping at Aberdeen I won’ t be quite so busy so concentration, application and the more mental side of things will have to be an important side to my game. “You will see me jog up the pitch to speak to my defenders when we get a corner. “The lads probably wonder what I’m on about – but it’s about me staying in the game, not letting my mind wander. “It will definitely help my game being at a club at the right end of the table. “At Blackpool I had a good season and I made loads of saves but I won’t be as busy here.” Lewis also prevented a shock aggregate loss to Fola Esch in Luxembourg and he said: “It’s been a good start for me but I’m not taking anything for granted.
“It ’s about preparing myself mentally for every game. I need to keep my levels of performance up.
“For goalkeepers, it is all about consistency.
“We have negotiated the first two rounds of qualifiers.
“Ventspils had a right go but we approached the game in the correct manner. Mentally we were prepared.
“But we had a let- off against Fola Esch when we didn’t apply ourselves and nearly suffered. That was a warning to us because no matter who we play against, it’s going to be a battle.”