[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Even at such an early stage of the season, fewer points on the board than games played is never a pretty sight, and in the Championship it's an ignominy that Albion haven't suffered for many a long year. This week, with its back-to-back home matches, is therefore huge for the team and manager. If we're hoping to spend the campaign anywhere near the right end of the table, it's not unreasonable to expect that at the bare minimum, our two points from three matches will become five from five by Saturday evening. For the sake of confidence alone, a win this week is a must.

Cardiff on Wednesday night arrive with their typically decent track record against us: we've won only two of our last ten encounters with them (though their 2-0 victory in December 2009 was their most recent at the Hawthorns, and their only league triumph over us on the road since 1957). Under manager Steve Morison they've grown adept at grinding out 1-0 wins - both of their victories this season have come in that fashion - and it seems likely that their game-plan for Wednesday will therefore be to keep a clean sheet at all costs and nick a winner if the chance arises. Finding a way of breaking them down is a must, and silly mistakes at the back have to be cut out.

Hull have also enjoyed a good start under the stewardship of Shota Arveladze, with a win against relegated Norwich on Saturday allowing them a heady twenty-four hours at the top of the table. Colombian Óscar Estupiñán was the hero doubling up for the Tigers, and will be one for Albion to watch closely. Unfortunately, it's unlikely Hull will be the generous point-donors they've been to our cause in recent years - our record of six wins in the last seven against them is going to take some hard work to extend - but with home advantage, we have to target this as a winnable game.