Charlton sit second in the Championship table – but Lee Bowyer insists survival is still the aim

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Charlton sit in the automatic promotion places in the Championship table – but boss Lee Bowyer says that survival in the division is still their aim for this campaign.

The 2-0 win at Reading on Saturday stretched the South Londoners’ unbeaten start to the season to six games. The Addicks are second, two points behind leaders Swansea City.

Bowyer says that his goal for the season remains the same.

“Let’s not forget, our aim is to stay in the league,” said the Addicks boss.

“Yes, we’ve had a good start but we’re six games in. That’s nothing. Forty to go. But it’s nice to be up there and to get the points in the bag early.

“We know what our goal is – to stay in the division. If we do that, that will be some achievement with the budget that we have. People laugh at us when we tell them what our budget is.

“What the lads are doing at the moment and the fans are helping them. They didn’t stop singing for 90 minutes. They help the lads push through these games. Everyone is in a good place at the moment.”

The Addicks – or at least the ones not called up for national duty –  will now enjoy a fortnight’s rest due to the international break.

“We’ve got to hope that no one comes back injured,” added Bowyer.

“We’ve got eight or ten going away. Fingers crossed nothing happens to them.

“Then the most important thing is we’ll start preparing for Birmingham. Nothing changes for me, I’ll be watching Birmingham from tonight. We’ll make sure next week that we have a full week’s training and we’ll get ready for Birmingham.

“It’s a good time now for everyone to recharge their batteries and get ready for Birmingham in a couple of weeks.”