James McFadden has blasted Motherwell's players for their performances against Sligo Rovers as he jumped to the defence of gaffer Graham Alexander.
The Fir Park legend was gutted to see the Steelmen crash out of the Europa Conference League at the second qualifying stage after a 2-0 loss in Ireland sealed a 3-0 aggregate defeat.
And while a lot of the criticism for the early exit is being levelled at his former Scotland team-mate, Faddy gave an impassioned verdict on the performance of the players, insisting they need to put greater demands on themselves and those around them.
He told BBC Radio Scotland: "People look at the manager and I played with Graham Alexander, he's a brilliant guy.
"The way he trained, the way he lived his life into his 40s... he made his Premier League debut at 37 because of his mentality and his attitude.
"Because he put demands on himself and others.
"So you are not telling me that he's not putting these demands on these players.
"The players need to step up and say: 'I'm ready to accept those demands but I want to put demands on players around me.'
"And I don't see enough players doing that.
"Did they think this was going to be easy and they'd just roll Sligo over?
"Did they think they'd just turn up and we'll win the second leg, we are Motherwell, we've got a right to just turn up and do it?
"It's always the manager that takes the flak.
"But the players need to take responsibility for that because they are the ones on the pitch."
Motherwell did create numerous chances during 180 minutes of football, but the final product was sorely lacking.
McFadden has been left frustrated their overall play and says players need to do more to support the likes of striker Kevin van Veen, and also be braver on the ball.
He added: "We keep speaking about Kevin van Veen and the threat that he is, but he hasn't showed that over the two legs.
"Is that down to service? I would argue that he hasn't [had it] but is he doing enough that he is demanding the service?
"Is he organising around about him to say: 'I'm going to challenge for this ball, flick it on, you gamble.'
"I don't really see anybody demanding the ball.
"It's all slow and laboured.
"The one threat from the Motherwell side is from the full-backs.
"Too many times Jake Carroll, when he gets the ball, his first touch goes backwards and he's looking for a safe option.
"You are stretching a team, you can just step onto it and deliver a ball into the box, look for your striker.
"Take control of the situation
"But it's almost like there's too many of them saying: 'No, no, you have it, I'm not willing to take that risk.'
"Then they get a chance under no pressure and the concentration level isn't there.
"Or is it pressure in their own head saying: 'I don't want to make a mistake here. Somebody else can do it.'
"They need to get together as a team and they need to be playing for each other to try and put demands on themselves first and foremost, but also on the players around them.
"I don't see anybody doing that and that's a worry for me."
A trip to St Mirren now awaits Motherwell in their Scottish Premiership opener on Sunday and McFadden added: "The players need to sharpen up for the league campaign and make sure they get off to a good start because it is going to be a tough season.
"There's a lot of teams in there that are similar in ability and it shows you if you can put a run together at the right time - like Motherwell did at the start of last season - then it sets you up for a good season.
"Now the season starts for Motherwell because they've got a tricky game against St Mirren, who are under a bit of pressure themselves after a disappointing cup campaign.
"So that's a huge game.
"Even the games coming up after that - St Johnstone up next - they have to hit the ground running and they have to be a threat going forward."
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