SAM Allardyce admits Blackburn Rovers are lacking an “away mentality” as he calls for them to adopt some of his old Bolton side’s doggedness and resolve.

In his last eight Premier League games against Arsenal as Bolton boss, Allardyce’s Trotters picked up 12 points to frustrate Arsene Wenger, and the Rovers chief is calling for a similar approach as he goes in search of his first managerial win at the Gunners.

Defeats on the road to Sunderland and Everton have left Rovers pointless on their travels so far this season and, after losing the last five on the run at the end of last campaign, Allardyce knows things need to change.

He said: “I have never managed victory at Arsenal but I have managed a few draws. We had a different mentality at Bolton, Blackburn are not the same dogged determined side mentally out of possession.

“I think everyone thought Villa were going to beat us last weekend because they had won three away games on the trot and in the end we deserved to beat them.

“We have to take that victory and change the way we think about playing away from him. It is clear to me we don’t have an away mentality. We go and play very similar away from home as we do at home.

“We need to spoil and stop the opposition first and then play second. We have slipped up badly on our away ventures because we have always been in the game but rather than the good play of the opposition it has been our fault we conceded the goal through basic errors.

“We are a little flawed with basic errors away from home that are costing us results. If we don’t put that right against Arsenal we will get hammered.”

Allardyce was helpless as Rovers crashed to a comfortable 4-0 drubbing at Arsenal last season but is determined his side will give a better showing this time around.

“We have to be extremely cautious,” he said. “We went there after we beat Fulham last season and we got completely dominated. I don’t enjoy seeing my sides dominated by anyone.

“We know how difficult it is going to be. The only real pressure on us is in terms of what we believe we can achieve ourselves.

“Nobody else in football or anywhere else believes we have got a chance on Sunday. Look at our away form and their form and everyone will have them down as a home win.

“You say to yourself though we can get something out of the game if we approach it in the right way. It is a daunting task but you don’t go and give the opposition too much respect, you don’t sit back and let them do what they want. You go and impose yourself.”