Greg Docherty is fully aware that Charlton face a crucial three‑match stretch to cap off their inaugural season back in the Championship and to steer clear of an immediate drop to League One. The club captain spoke exclusively to Sky Sports ahead of Wednesday's encounter with promotion‑chasing Ipswich at The Valley, emphasizing that the team is not blind to its position in the league table. The upcoming game is the first of two consecutive home fixtures, the second being a clash with another top‑six side, Hull City – Docherty's former club – scheduled for Saturday, before a final‑day away trip to Swansea. As the mid‑week fixtures loom, Charlton sit six points above the bottom three, a cushion that offers some breathing room but does not erase the anxiety that comes after a six‑game winless run.
All three points earned during that spell have come from away draws, underscoring the need for a stronger home performance. Ipswich, meanwhile, possess the poorest away record among the top ten teams in the division, while Charlton are the only side that have managed to defeat Kieran McKenna's side at Portman Road this season. Docherty reflected on that victory, saying, "Going into Wednesday's game, I know they have something to play for, but we have plenty of motivation as well. The win at Portman Road gave us a massive confidence boost and proved we can compete with quality opposition." He acknowledged that the team has perhaps let itself down in the intervening weeks, noting, "We haven't won as many games since, but we have remained competitive.
The margins are fine, and that day we seized ours. What we've lacked recently, especially at home, is the ability to finish chances. We've created numerous opportunities, but the longer they go unconverted, the more doubt can creep into the squad." Docherty admitted that Charlton have struggled to distribute goals across the team this season.
"It's not a lack of effort or creativity – we're up against strong opponents – but in the last six games we haven't delivered a full 90‑minute performance. In the brief periods when we have faltered, we have been punished, which is the harsh reality of this league," he said. Looking ahead, the captain expressed confidence in his side's ability to rise to the occasion.
"We know we have beaten Ipswich before and we will respect them, but as we head into a home game the outcome is in our hands. The mood in the dressing room remains positive, and we aim to translate that into points." Charlton's promotion last season was built on a strong end‑of‑season run under Nathan Jones, which saw them overcome Wycombe and Leyton Orient in the play‑offs. This campaign, the Addicks have secured eight league victories at The Valley, complemented by four draws – two of which came against fellow top‑six teams Millwall and Coventry. Their ability to snatch points from bigger clubs has been a hallmark of their season and will be essential in the final weeks.
"We relish the challenge of facing quality players and big clubs," Docherty added. "Ipswich are fighting high up the table, and we want to prove a point as well.
We fought hard to earn our place in this league, to experience these moments, and to shoulder the pressure that comes with it." He stressed the importance of improving Charlton's home record, acknowledging that a weaker performance at The Valley has been a pain point for both players and supporters. "Our home form hasn't been as strong as it should be, and that hurts us and the fans. Ultimately we just want to get back to winning games consistently." As captain, Docherty leads by example.
He shares the joint‑highest assist tally in the squad with three and tops the team in tackles with 47, describing himself as an all‑round midfielder. "I have a reputation for the tougher side of the game, and I enjoy that as much as scoring," he said.
"But I also want to contribute more in the attacking third. The manager has been working with me on that, and I'm pushing myself to take that next step." Reflecting on his season, he noted a strong start, a slight dip in the middle, and a resurgence toward the end. "I'm personally satisfied, but true happiness comes when the club is doing well and we succeed as a unit. I'll do everything I can to help us win more games because I feel we should have taken more points.
It's easy to say that, but the evidence supports it. The Championship is a tough league, and the experiences we gather this year will serve us well next season." Looking forward, both Docherty and Charlton hope the 2026/27 season will see them maintain their Championship status. They understand that fine margins and a solid home record will be decisive in achieving that goal, and they are determined to finish the campaign on a positive note.