Motherwell 0-1 Dundee: Ian Baraclough says players are fearful

Image source, SNS

Image caption, Motherwell have lost seven of their last eight matches under Ian Baraclough

Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough is urging his players to stand up and be counted in the relegation battle.

Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Dundee at Fir Park leaves 'Well bottom of the league, having lost seven out of their last eight Scottish Premiership matches.

Fellow strugglers St Mirren lost at Aberdeen but Ross County won against Partick Thistle at Firhill.

"We've got game-changers in there and they're not showing it," Baraclough told 91热爆 Scotland.

"You've got to be strong and pick yourself up and say 'how long do you want to be bottom for?' We can't rely on someone else doing it for us.

"It's a tough run. Game by game you start chalking them off. It becomes more difficult mentally."

Image source, SNS

Image caption, Motherwell dropped to the foot of the Scottish Premiership

The only goal of the game was a 12th-minute mis-hit cross by Dundee right-back Paul McGinn that sailed beyond goalkeeper George Long.

"The difference was a freak goal, a cross into the box that floated into the top corner at the back stick," said Baraclough.

"I'm disappointed at losing the game and that we didn't show more in the final third. I think it's the fear factor, not wanting to make a mistake.

"We've got to get the supporters off their seats. We've got to say, 'I want the ball, I want to make something happen'.

"We're at home. The onus is on us to go and break them down. We went in to our shell a little bit."

Dundee's second consecutive league win keeps them in sixth place in the Premiership.

Manager Paul Hartley was glad the Dark Blues got the early goal he had spoken about in his pre-match team talk.

"I thought we controlled the game," he told 91热爆 Scotland. "We wasted some good chances but overall I'm pleased, I've got to give credit to the players, I thought they were outstanding - a great team performance.

"I don't think our goalkeeper had much to do. It keeps the run going, we are eight unbeaten and we've just got to keep it going.

"When you win games you have so much confidence. It's the exact same - when you are losing games your confidence goes.

"We went through that in December where we couldn't win for eight games, but things change and you have a wee bit of luck and we have started to win games again."