Its the being over familar with the instruments thats the main issue with FX pilots. After you get onto the nav stage of training there isn't such an issue due to the fact the instructor will have already got you doing what you should be doing for the basic flying skills.
I hope I don't come across as a meanie its just very common to have to "sort out" FX students because they love looking at instruments and are actually pretty good at flying on instruments. BTW as I normally fly instruments in my day job I am just as bad at doing the same which is why I prefer to be in the RHS when flying a SEP because there are none on that side for me to fixate on. It knocks me out of my instrument head mode quicker.