IAN BARACLOUGH's battlers are ready to go to war and fight for their lives.

That was the cry from the Motherwell manager as his men get ready to go over the top against arch local rivals Hamilton Accies on Friday night.

The dust has finally settled on the Steelmen's 2-0 defeat at Partick Thistle back on April 11 that leaves them in the relegation play-off place six points adrift of safety and Ross County.

However, the distance between that game and the next has allowed Motherwell's players to sharpen their minds ahead of the big push in the bottom six.

It is a war on three fronts for the Lanarkshire side as they attempt to reel in County, Kilmarnock and Thistle.

Coming out on top in their last five games would do just that, and Baraclough told SportTimes how his Well warriors will show their mettle to make sure that is exactly what happens.

He said: "From day one I came in with the attitude of trying to win every game. If we win all five we have left then we will be clear of it.

"We are going to have to have to scrap out some games. We will play Partick Thistle again and we'll know what to expect.

"They are all going to be battles. They are not going to be that pleasing on the eye and we have to make sure they drop our way."

Baraclough is keep to try and keep the loss at Firhill in perspective while looking at the ever-changing picture at the foot of the Premiership.

It was Motherwell's first defeat after three wins on the bounce, and really their first sluggish showing - in the second half, at least - for well over a month.

It is a reality check his team could have been doing without, but the Englishman is keen to use it productively.

"We won't forget Thistle and it gives us a reminder that if we have an indifferent performance we need to make sure we keep ourselves in the game," said Baraclough.

"We switched off at a free-kick and gave away a soft goal. We didn't help ourselves, get hold of the ball and do the things that have got us in good positions. Especially in the second half.

"We've lost a game of football but it's not cost us as yet. Hopefully it's not one we look back on at the end of the season with regret and we must make sure we are bright on Friday.

"It's in our own hands and we have the armoury to make sure we go on and do what we need to."