ROVERS are going to have a tough time against Charlton on Saturday - because they're so much alike.

The two sides are very similar in the way they play and Charlton will be looking to bounce back after defeat by Bolton.

Charlton's form away from home has been superb this season and Alan Curbishley has done a brilliant job down there.

Charlton are now the blueprint for clubs outside the top four. They bring players through the ranks, sell them on and invest the money wisely.

He's done a remarkable job at The Valley and I think the start they've had to season has even surprised him.

In the papers, he's said they need to improve their home form but their away form has been superb and that's what will make it such a tough game at Ewood.

But saying that, I can't see them staying up at the top of the league.

There are a number of clubs who have a chance of getting into Europe and I fully expect Rovers to be one of them.

I think Charlton will start to fall away once injuries and suspensions start to bite but they'll be in the eight or nine sides challenging for one of the European places.

One of the players Rovers will have to watch on Saturday is Darren Bent. He's had a tremendous start to his Premiership career - but so did Jonathan Stead and just look what happened him.

He came out of the lower leagues and scored for fun when he first came to Rovers in his first season but in his second season in the top flight he could barely get in the team and now he's at Sunderland.

Bent has started well and I think he's still a bit of an unknown quantity.

He's been a breath of fresh air but it'll only be next season, once teams start to get used to him, will we find out if he is true Premiership class.

A player I don't expect to see on Saturday is Jay Bothroyd.

The former Rovers player flattered to deceive at Ewood last season and I couldn't believe Charlton gave him a contract.

In fact, it was only when I saw him do an air shot on Match of the Day last week that I realised he was actually there!

He came to Rovers with a big reputation and was just another player who didn't live up to the hype.