HARRY Arter insists his Cherries team-mates should have no concerns over facing the man in the mirror – despite a five-match winless run.

The club’s bid for Premier League football has stalled in recent weeks with a yield of three points from a possible 15 scant reward for some bright displays.

Arter, who returned for Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Blackburn following a two-match ban, revealed the run had left the players bemused immediately after matches.

But the all-action midfielder is adamant the team can do little more to turn the tide and must not waver from the philosophies that saw Cherries set the standard in the Championship for so long this season.

Arter told the Daily Echo: “There would be a problem if the lads did not feel anger about the result for the first 15 or 20 minutes after a game.

“But when you look at the bigger picture a few hours later or maybe the next day, you need to assess your own performance and think about what more you could have done.

“As long as we have played well and everyone has done everything possible to try and get a positive result, you have to brush yourself off and focus on the next challenge.

“If everyone can look at themselves in the mirror and say ‘I could not have given more today’ then personally, I would not ask any more of my team-mates or of myself.

“Individually and collectively we must make sure we are doing everything we can.

"Performance-wise, I think we are and once that luck turns and we start getting what we deserve I am confident we will start creeping back towards the top.

“It is not like we are being outclassed. If we keep churning out performances like we did against Nottingham Forest and Blackburn then it will be impossible not to pick up positive results.

“Every team has a little slump and it comes down to a bit of luck sometimes. Whether a keeper has the game of his life or we feel a bit of injustice with decisions, it is not falling for us at the moment but I feel our luck will eventually turn.”

Meanwhile, Arter was quick to play down the prospect of facing fellow promotion contenders Wolves tonight (7.45pm).

“I don’t think the opposition is the focus,” he added. “No matter who we are playing it is an important game, whether or not it is a team near us in the table.

“We just want to make sure we give 100 per cent and when we do that, we usually pick up a result.

“As long as everyone’s mindset is in the right place then I am confident we can get back to winning ways.”