MELBOURNE defender Chris Johnson believes the Demons need to further develop the psychological side of their game if they're to improve this year.

Johnson, 22, said constantly being the underdog this season, combined with faltering to Fremantle after an explosive start on Sunday, has tested the concentration level of the group in recent times.

"In the last few weeks we've improved a lot and no one is really expecting us to do anything at the moment," he said on Monday afternoon, after the Demons arrived back from Perth.

"That's the attitude we've now got to take until the end of the season.

"With the start (on Sunday), all the boys might have thought we were a good chance to win so that concentration level has got to be really important.

"With the mental side of things, we've got to be stronger than we were on Sunday."

The much-improved defender said there are ways players can focus on developing their mental capacity by working closely with the club's psychologists.

"There's things you can do away from football as well just so your concentration levels are on football," he said.

"It's a tough one. You work with the sports psychologist at the footy club and he sits down with you and uses trigger points and trigger words to make you concentrate more out on the field.

"It's a work in progress."

Johnson has played seven games this year, including the last five, after previously struggling for consistent opportunities. 

He said he's beginning to feel more confident in his own ability after his past three matches, which have seen him collect plenty of the ball.

"I couldn't get into it at the start of the season," he said.

"I hurt myself just before the season started and that pushed me back a bit.

"Now I'm back in the side and getting a bit of a kick, which is good, and (coach) Dean (Bailey) is starting to put a bit of trust in me and I'm starting to believe in myself a bit as well.

"I'm still trying to cement my spot and there are heaps of spots up for grabs, so I've just got to keep playing well.

"We want to improve as a whole group and individually as well."

Johnson said he wants to "play the next six games and enjoy my footy" over the upcoming month and a half, as well as continue to become accustomed to rookie coach Bailey's style.

"We're not playing finals so I just want to enjoy my footy and have fun with the boys out on the park," he said.

"We're trying to improve and we're still learning Dean's game plan.

"We want to keep performing on all the stuff he's teaching us, and just to build for next year would be really important as well."