Charlton have shown they belong in the Championship

They may have only scored one league goal so far this season, but Championship new boys Charlton Athletic have been impressing with their performances.

The Addicks beat Watford on opening weekend, drew 0-0 at last season's play-off semi-finalists Bristol City and fell to a narrow, and many would say unfair, 1-0 defeat against Leicester City on Saturday.

BBC London's Louis Mendez believes fans should be encouraged by the football they're seeing.

"They actually look a more potent attacking force this time around in terms of the amount of chances they're creating and that's with the step up as well. It just so happens that they haven't taken them yet," Mendez said.

"They will need to sharpen up slightly in front of goal but the way they're creating chances and the way they're keeping teams at bay so far has been really positive."

Even though three matches is a small sample size, Mendez doesn't foresee a relegation scrap for Nathan Jones' side and believes playing in England's second-tier is a suitable level.

"I think Charlton fans will be really pleased by the start to the season because if there was ever any question about whether the Addicks could compete at this level, they've answered that emphatically," he added.

Charlton travel to League Two Cambridge United tonight (19:45 BST) in the second round of the EFL Cup in a tie which is difficult to predict.

"For some reason, Charlton at Cambridge is always a difficult game. Even though there's two divisions between the two sides, they've been familiar foes over the last few years in League One," Mendez said.

"It was only a few months ago that Charlton went there and won 1-0 and that was a horrible game of football but Charlton scraped past."

A convincing EFL Cup result is imperative to provide the players with the confidence to go on and affirm Charlton's status as a worthwhile Championship club, a mission which is the top priority.

For Mendez, cup competitions provide the opportunity to build momentum within the season and propel league form, but the cup itself isn't the focus.

"The cup is really not a major priority but you don't want to lose games like this against a side in League Two because you don't want anything to dent the good start to the season."

Tonight's cup game also presents opportunities for the players to develop individually, as new signings and youth players look to assert themselves within the squad.

After Nathan Jones made 11 changes to his side in the EFL Cup first round win over Stevenage, Mendez said more of the same is to be expected against Cambridge.

"I suspect there will be changes, there's players who need minutes. The likes of Harvey Knibbs. Charlie Kelman [may] start. He hasn't hit the ground running yet.

"Maybe you'll get a little sprinkling of the youth again as well."

Listen to the full discussion and more Charlton Athletic on BBC Sounds.