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IF Newcastle Jets goal-keeper Mark Birighitti is being distracted by his likely move to German club Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season, he better snap out of it quickly.
His team's play-offs hope may well hinge on it.
A fortnight ago, an official from the German club where Socceroo Robbie Kruse plays was in Newcastle to watch Birighetti train and stitch up a transfer deal with the Jets that is understood to be virtually done.
But rather than flourish as a result of all the interest from one of the giants of the Bundesliga, the young keeper's mind appears to be all over the shop.
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A week ago, he was involved in an ugly training altercation with teammate Taylor Regan that left Regan needing several stitches to a gash above his left eye.
Then on Saturday night came the howler that put the Jets on the back-foot from the opening minute on the way to a costly 3-1 loss to the Central Coast in the F3 derby in Gosford.
Deservedly rated one of the A-League's best shot-stoppers, the 21 year old has been the Jets' saviour plenty of times in the past two seasons.
But his confidence has been shaky at best in recent weeks.
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Against the Mariners, he inexplicably allowed a low driven free kick from near halfway by veteran defender Eddy Bosnar to get past him after just 43 seconds of the game.
And he capped off a game he will want to quickly forget when he fumbled late for the Mariners game-clincher.
Jets assistant coach Craig Deans admitted on Monday the speculation about his future may be affecting Birighetti mentally.
"It's human nature for it to be playing on your mind," Deans said.
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"The challenge for a sportsperson is to make sure when it's time to play, you don't let it affect you.
"The game is about the whole team and the club. Everyone has their own individual issues to deal with but when it comes game day, it's time to focus on the club and the supporters and do the best for them."
While Birighetti, the club's best player last season, won't be dumped after just one poor game, Deans claimed he was now under pressure from second keeper Ben Kennedy and needed to respond.
Taylor Regan after his training ground clash with Mark Birighitti. Source: Supplied
"I'm sure he'd be very disappointed with himself," Deans said.
"You don't ever want to be the player that's caused a goal in such a direct fashion.
"But he's got to show he's got the right character and he needs to pick himself up. There is no time to sulk.
"We have another big game this weekend (against Wellington) and we need to make sure everyone is ready and focused."
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