Declan Gallagher reckons there's "too many little boys" at Motherwell and told the squad to wise-up as they find themselves in a relegation dogfight.
The Steelmen, who are without a manager following Stephen Robinson's resignation last week, are joint-bottom of the Premiership with Ross County on 17 points after a 3-0 defeat to Hamilton in Saturday's Lanarkshire derby.
Keith Lasley is in caretaker charge of 'Well, but his audition for the job on a permanent basis didn't go according to plan after a lacklustre display at New Douglas Park made it 10 games without a win.
And Fir Park skipper Gallagher has called on his team-mates to get their act together as they become embroiled in a battle at the wrong end of the table, having finished third last season and bringing European football back to the club.
Asked where it's gone wrong for them this term, Gallagher said: "I can't put my finger on it, but maybe it's a bit of naivety.
"We are a pretty team who like to get the ball down and play football, but when the going gets tough we shy away from it a bit.
"Boys have to wise-up soon because we are in a dogfight now and we need to realise that now before it's too late.
"It's a major concern.
"A lot of boys have to go home and take a good look at themselves.
"When I speak about the boys and naivety I put myself in that bracket as well.
"I'm not saying I've been great and they've been terrible.
"We need to all sharpen up. We need to start growing as men because there's too many little boys out there just now."
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