IAN BARACLOUGH believes a pep talk from new Motherwell owner Les Hutchison has already lifted his team's spirits.

The Lanarkshire-born businessman jetted into Scotland this week ahead of his takeover of the club, which was completed yesterday.

Hutchison, who is now based in Barbados, spoke to players and staff at Fir Park where he outlined his plan for the club as he helps facilitate the Well Society's goal of fan ownership.

He will watch on from the stand this afternoon for the first time since he became involved with the club as Well look to halt a run of five defeats in a row when St Johnstone come to town.

And Motherwell manager Baraclough is confident the presence and influence of the new owner will have a positive impact on his team.

He said: "I think the players have that clarity that the football club is going to be here, is in good hands and is pointed in the right direction.

"They have been able to see the new owner as well and speak to him, as have the whole staff. I've spoken to him so it was good to put a face to the voice on the calls or the person in the emails.

"We've had a lot of dialogue in the six weeks I've been here so it's been good to see him."

Baraclough added: "As a player having been at a club that has had financial uncertainty, it does play on your mind a bit. You have to go home to your family and kids wondering if the club is going to be stable.

"When you read newspapers or speak to people around you, it is has a positive or negative effect on the way you think. So to know the club is going to be signed over, it's safe and is moving towards a brighter future, it makes the players a bit more calm."

Despite Henrik Ojamaa choosing not to renew his loan deal with the club during the week, Motherwell have still been able to bring in two signings ahead of today's game with one other new recruit - in the shape of a forward - potentially arriving before the window shuts.

York City defender Anthony Straker was signed on a loan deal until the end of the season on Thursday, while Nottingham Forest centre-half Louis Laing was tied up on a similar deal yesterday.

Both go straight into this afternoon's squad to face Saints, and Baraclough added: "There's definite cause for optimism at the club.

"The conversations I've had [with Hutchison] have been frank, open discussions. And I'm confident that he will back this club and back me to put things right."

He added: "St Johnstone have played several different styles in the last few weeks, so I'm not going to try and pre-empt what their manager is going to select.

"Making our team ready for the challenge is what is uppermost in my thoughts. We are of their strengths and their weaknesses, and we will try and impact on them."