Six losses in a row will do that to you.
Physically, the Highlanders can do little more. They are as fit as they can be and are not lacking in physicality in the forward pack.
But it is the demons in the head which they have to conquer tonight if they are to beat the Brumbies at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has carried out some major surgery on his team, with the inside backs getting an overhaul and flanker TJ Ioane coming into the starting side.
But Joseph knows the game is all about getting the brain right.''
The biggest challenge this team has is a mental one. Not a physical one or a game-plan one,'' he said.
''They [players] need to take a bit of pressure off themselves. Just worry about the job at hand. The next lineout, the next scrum, not getting too far ahead of ourselves. That is the type of messages we have been talking on about this week.
''It is concentrating about the now, doing this thing really well and then worrying about the next thing. If we do that then we are going to get improvement in that area.
''If we can control each other's job ... and not worry too much about outcome and just worry about what they have to do in our game plan, then there will be improvement.
''The bigger picture is always at the back of people's minds and we get reminded of that weekly. But the players' challenge is about getting a performance out on the field for 80 minutes.''
Those small things have been derailing the Highlanders. Bad passes, dropped balls and just poor options have led them to where they are now.
It was not supposed to be like this. Lose tonight, and it will be the worst start to the season by any Highlanders side. In 2008, a green-looking Highlanders team lost its first six matches before beating the Cats at Carisbrook.
Fresh blood should help the Highlanders, although inside backs Hayden Parker and Fumiaki Tanaka will have to work hard to keep a lid on the emotions at their first crack starting at this level.
Ioane needs to bring his top abrasive game to the stage, while Jarrad Hoeata and Brad Thorn will add plenty of muscle to the engine room.
Prop Ma'afu Fia has been one of the few shining lights this season and gets his reward with a start tonight.
The Highlanders have revealed first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga will be out for six weeks with an ankle injury.
The Brumbies are in the stratosphere compared with the Highlanders, sitting at the top reaches of the table, just behind the Chiefs on points differential.
However, they have yet to play a New Zealand team and have won just one game from their past three matches - a streaky win over the Bulls.
Coach Jake White has made five changes to his team and has threatening fullback Jesse Mogg back in the starting line-up.
Centre Andrew Smith gets a run after being out for a month with a head knock, and much will be expected of Wallabies centurion George Smith.
The heat is on - Three areas the Highlanders need to turn around tonight
Be decisive
Last year, wearing a mainly blue jersey, Fumiaki Tanaka and Hayden Parker steered a side around Forsyth Barr Stadium with aplomb. The Otago inside backs need to do more of that tonight, backing themselves in everything they do and doing it to the very best of their ability. And doing it quickly and correctly. No pressure.
Man up, Ma'a
Ma'a Nonu had one of those games against the Blues last week: if it could go wrong, it did go wrong. He knows he needs to bring out a big one. Contrary to what has been said, he is not personally responsible for the Korean missile crisis, Asian flu and the collapse of the Cypriot economy. A fired-up Nonu would be a more than handy advantage for the home side.
Knock them down
Everyone likes to see a nice attacking move and a pretty try, but games are won on defence. The Highlanders have been missing too many tackles and leaking too many tries. That is why they are where they are.
They need to find better speed on their defensive line and make sure players who are tackled feel the hit and do not come back for seconds.
