Pre-season relegation favourites Charlton Athletic have been the Championship's surprise package this season.

Going into the international break Lee Bowyer's men sit second, unbeaten in six, and just two points behind leaders Swansea.

We spoke to Charlton fan and writer for Vital Charlton, Kieran Keogh to get a run down of where he feels the club are as they recharge their batteries during the break in fixtures.

How would you describe the start to Charlton’s season?

News Shopper:

It's been a great start.

The best beginning I can remember for a long time so I’m over the moon with how it’s started.

Lee Bowyer has made sure that the winning mentality from last season has stayed with the team for the current campaign, and that's with a lot of new faces in the squad.

The last two games we have got clean sheets and now I think the defence has adapted to The Championship way of life which is going to be huge going into the rest of the season.

READ:Charlton's Sam Field admits Bowyer's team talk inspired Reading win

Where can they improve?

I think the obvious one is right-back.

I feel that Chris Solly’s form has dipped in recent seasons due to the knee injury he sustained which is a real shame because I know he can be a very good player on his day.

I’m excited by the prospect of Adam Matthews coming in.

Matthews I'm sure will see Bowyer and Charlton as a golden ticket to get his career back on track after going from The Premier League to League One with Sunderland in the space of a few years.

Hopefully signing him will give him a lease of life that will benefit us.

What player has stood out?

News Shopper:

Conor Gallagher- the kid is unreal!

If I’m honest I was not expecting much from him seeing as the only senior football he has played is in the EFL Trophy.

But he's proved me wrong since coming off the bench at Blackburn on the opening day.

He looks like an all-round midfielder which is really going to help us once we get a few injuries, whcih always happens.

He is also scoring goals, it’s what we need from midfield as well as their build-up play.

He has been great so far and he will only get better.

What player has disappointed?

It’s hard to pick one because the most of the team have been superb, but if I have to say one it has be Jake Forster-Caskey.

I know it’s going to take him a while to right back into the swing of things, but from what I have seen of him so far, he looks slow on the ball and not so confident out on the pitch.

It’s going to be hard road for Jake, but I’m hoping he can come out of it a better player than what he has been so far this season.

READ:What Bowyer said to his Charlton side at half-time at Reading

Opinion Amongst fans, realistically is survival the aim or you dreaming of promotion?

It’s a hard and unpredictable league, but I think that we have only just seen a glimpse of what is to come from this Charlton side.

We have leaders all around the pitch and hungry young players all going out on to that stage with something to prove.

If they stay as hungry as they have been for the last six games, I think that we will be in and around those automatic promotion spots.

How vital was keeping Lyle Taylor?

News Shopper:

Priceless.

He scores goals but he's such a hard worker without the ball.

A nuisance to the opposition with his attitude and his willingness to get on the ball and score goals is invaluable.

If we can keep hold of him in January promotion is definitely on the cards for the second half of the season, but if he does go then he'll need replacing, which will be a huge challenge for Bowyer and Steve Gallen (Head of Recruitment).

Any belief that Lee would go Huddersfield?

None at all.

Lee wants to stay at Charlton, but with the regime we are in now anything can happen to anyone at Charlton; however, I really didn’t think a move to The Terriers would be what Lee would have wanted even if the money was better.

Bowyer worked his fingers to the bone to get the players he wanted and I don’t think he would have just let all that go away for a few extra quid.

Tough run of fixtures after the international break, will that define the season?

News Shopper:

It’s going to be tough and it’s going to be enjoyable for all Charlton fans.

Leeds, Swansea, and Fulham in the next five fixtures, the big boys of The Championship, I'm hopeful we will rise to it and show the league what we are all about.

Hard work, passion and belief.

READ: 'Let's not forget our aim' - Charlton boss not getting carried away