Having failed to take much advantage from a relatively easy run of games against Blues, Wigan and Sunderland, Albion now face a match that would, at the start of the season, been seen as a good chance of three points, but now looks like a very tough challenge.

Charlton have developed a reputation over the past couple of years for strong starts, but even the most blinkered Addicks fans will have been surprised to see their team win their first four games. They may have come down to earth last weekend when they were beaten by Chelsea, but it was with more of a gentle bump than an almighty thump. They remain in second place in the Premiership and got back to winning ways with a relatively comfortable win over Hartlepool in the Carling Cup, although they did go a goal down.

One of the main reasons for their early success has been the form of Darren Bent. Bought from Ipswich in the summer for £2.5 million, he got the confidence boost of a brace in his Premiership debut at Sunderland and has not looked back since - the 2-0 reverse against the Champions remains the only game he has failed to score in as he's notched six goals in six games. It just shows what an early goal in your Premiership career can do for a promising striker. Let's hope the Duke's brace against the Bantams can give him the confidence to open his Premiership account on Saturday.

Of course, it is not a one man show. Charlton's five man midfield has been the basis of their success so far this term with the loan signing of another Chelsea Russion, Alexei Semrtin, proving to be a particularly astute acquisition. With Danny Murphy and Dennis Rommedahl both performing well, it has proved to be a winning combination. Another new signing in midfield is Darren Ambrose from Newcastle, but surprisingly he has only made one start so far this season.

At the back, they have been boosted by the arrival of Jonathan Spector on loan from Manchester United, but he too has failed to make an impression on the first team picture as Curbishley has stuck with the tried and tested combination of England's Luke Young, one time Albion target Hermann Hreidarsson, Chirs Perry and the recently returned Chris Powell. The only disruption to their defensive situation has been an injury to 'keeper Dean Kiely which has seen Stephan Andersen between the posts for all their Premiership games this season.

The defeat by Chelsea will have hit their confidence a little, but they will still be on a high. Unlike Albion, they have taken maximum points from games against Wigan, Birmingham and Sunderland and they will be expecting to do the same at the Hawthorns.

Last season, they did just that in what was a dire game (and incidently, the last Saturday 3pm home game of the season for the Baggies in December!) but Albion are a better side now, as are Charlton.

It will be important for the Albion defence to remain concentrated against Bent, who will almost certainly play as a lone striker, but the key to the game will be the midfield. If Albion's midfield plays as they did against Blues and Wigan, Charlton will win - Robson's main concern should be how to prevent the Albion midfield from being over-run by the five men from Charlton.

It seems unlikely that Robson will go for anything other than four at the back, so he must decide whether to play the 4-3-3 / 4-5-1 formation with two wide attacking players who can drop in to match the opposition's five men, or to go with 4-4-2 and hope that they can cope. Or perhaps there is another option. Following Kanu's impressive performance "in the hole" against Bradford (after having been ruled out through injury!!), albeit against weak opposition, a 4-4-1-1 play may work with Kanu dropping to make the fifth midfielder when Charlton are in possession.

Of course, it depends very much on personnel. If 4-4-1-1 is chosen, the lone front man needs to be quick and able to hold the ball up - only Ellington really fits the bill. Horsfield may not really suit that role and I can't see him being left out if he is fit.

But no matter what strikers are picked, they most important selection will be in midfield. The fact that Inamoto continues to be ignored, particularly on Tuesday evening, remains a source of frustration and incredulity amongst all Albion fans I know. I'd be pleasantly surprised to see him on Saturday, but I doubt it very much. Wallwork, Johnson and Carter all have their weaknesses, and while Chaplow's lack of experience is sometimes shown, the only way to cure that is to play him.

With Albrechtsen suspended, Kamara injured and, potentially, Horsfield also ruled out, my team would be as follows:

Kirkland; Scimeca, Curtis, Clement, Robinson; Gera, Inamoto, Chaplow, Greening; Kanu; Ellington.

I prefer Scimeca to Watson at right back as Watson has been caught out too many times positionally for a man of his experience. I suspect that we will see Watson at right back, and Wallwork and Johnson in the middle of the park.

I think it is important for Albion not to lose this game first of all. Despite Charlton's form, it is a winnable game but it will be tough - but that's what the Premiership is all about.

Jon Want, 21st September 2005.