Baraclough wants Motherwell to recapture their form

Baraclough

Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough has called on side to recapture the form they showed in his first two games at the Fir Park helm if they are to climb clear of the Scottish Premiership relegation zone.

The Lanarkshire club are sitting precariously at third bottom in the table after suffering their third defeat on the trot as a result of Saturday's 4-1 loss away to Dundee with just 10 men.

After a bright start under former Sligo Rovers manager Baraclough, when they recorded back-to-back victories, Well have slipped back to their old ways.

Baraclough (below) said: "The first two games I was here I saw a hunger, a desire to go and do well and work as a group, to throw themselves in front of things if it needed that.

"But for some reason it's gone against us the first couple of goals and we've almost accepted it.

"For me one of the first things I put on the board is you can't win games of football unless you're willing to put the hard work in.

"That should be the bare minimum and you've got to drag that out of everybody, not just me, you've got to drag that out of everybody.

"It's got to come from all the players as well because it's livelihoods at stake. We have to do something about it now and we will."

Baraclough added: "We talk from the start of the week and building up to match day about having a good start, getting a foothold in the game, making it difficult for your opponents, being on the front foot and after eight minutes you're 2-0 down.

"They all want to be at a football club next season, whether it's this one or elsewhere and every time they go onto a pitch they've got to showcase their talents."