Jamie Langfield is not fazed by change.
After all, during eight years at Aberdeen he has worked under four permanent managers and several more coaches - Jimmy Calderwood, Mark McGhee, Craig Brown and now Derek McInnes each having determined to deliver the success which has eluded the Pittodrie club for all too long.
Langfield has also fended off competition from a number of rival goalkeepers, the latest being the vastly experienced figure of Nicky Weaver. The former Sheffield Wednesday player has been recruited this summer by McInnes and his arrival has meant that Langfield has had his hands full.
The Scot has begun the season as first choice - starting in the win over Kilmarnock last weekend - and can expect to retain that place against Motherwell tomorrow. Ensuring he remains an enduring presence in the Aberdeen team as the campaign progresses is a challenge he will undertake hungrily, his appetite having been assured by the changes introduced by his new manager.
"He's brought in a lot more of the sport science stuff that wasn't happening before and he's open to suggestions if there's something we are not happy with," said Langfield. "He's very open-minded and it's all about what the players want and we have the video analysis where we can analyse our game. Everything is done really professionally - and that's not me slaughtering any other manager I have worked under - but [McInnes] has changed things. The manager said he has seen other teams doing things just that little bit better than we were."
Langfield must ensure that he continues to go about his work just that little bit better than Weaver. Any drop in form will be seized by his team-mate as though it were an errant cross. "He's a top goalkeeper but I always think I am on a level par with anyone who comes in," said Langfield.
"If Nicky keeps pushing me and makes my performances better then I'm happy and the manager is happy. If it goes the other way and my performances dip then I know Nicky can quite easily replace me and it will be hard to get back in."
The need to make the most of any chance to impress is familiar refrain in football, but it is not always enough to guarantee you get the nod to start the next game. Gunnar Nielsen will recognise that better than most since he saved a penalty away from home in a Europa League qualifier only to get back home in time to sit on the bench at Fir Park.
It is understood that the Faroese goalkeeper will be replaced in Motherwell's starting XI by Lee Hollis tomorrow. "Lee has done everything asked of him - getting a good clean sheet against Hibs," said Stuart McCall, the Motherwell manager. "Lee will keep the shirt on Sunday. They both know. There are two good goalkeepers vying for the No.1 spot and that's good."
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