Greg Docherty is fully aware that Charlton face a critical three‑match stretch as they close out their inaugural season back in the Championship, fighting to prevent an immediate drop to League One. The club captain spoke exclusively to Sky Sports before Wednesday's showdown with promotion‑chasing Ips Ipswich at The Valley, acknowledging the pressure that comes with their current league position.
"We know exactly where we sit in the table," Docherty said, emphasizing that the Addicks are not turning a blind eye to the standings. The upcoming fixtures include two consecutive home games – first against Ipswich on Wednesday and then against Hull City, the side where Docherty previously played, on Saturday – before a final away trip to Swansea on the last day of the season.
At the midpoint of this run, Charlton sit six points clear of the bottom three. While the safety margin is modest, the team still controls its own destiny. Yet a recent six‑game winless streak – during which the only points earned were two away draws – has amplified concerns among supporters and players alike.
Fortunately for Charlton, Ipswich currently own the poorest away record among the top ten Championship clubs, and Charlton remain the sole side to have beaten Kieran McKenna's side at Portman Road this campaign. That victory, Docherty noted, provided a much‑needed confidence boost. "Going into Wednesday, I know they have something to play for, but we have plenty of reasons to be motivated as well," he explained. "Our win at Portman Road showed we can compete with anyone and proved we belong in this league." He added that while the team may have let itself down by not converting more matches into wins since that triumph, Charlton have remained competitive, illustrating how fine the margins can be in the Championship.
"That day we seized our chances. Lately, especially at home, we haven't been finishing our chances, and that is beginning to affect the squad," he said. Docherty highlighted the abundance of scoring opportunities his side has created, but lamented a lack of clinical finishing.
"We've had numerous chances, and the longer we go without scoring, the more it seeps into the players' minds. We haven't distributed goals across the team as well as we could this season.
It's not a lack of effort or creativity – we're up against quality opposition, and in the last six games we haven't delivered a full 90‑minute performance. When we slip for even ten minutes, the league punishes us mercilessly." He stressed that the belief within the dressing room remains strong after the earlier win over Ipswich, and that the upcoming home game is firmly in Charlton's hands.
"We respect Ipswich and know they deserve credit, but we also know we can dictate our own destiny at The Valley. That positive mindset will stay with us into the match." Charlton's promotion last season was built on a strong finish under Nathan Jones, who guided the club through play‑off victories over Wycombe and Leyton Orient. This season, the Addicks have secured eight league wins at The Valley, complemented by four draws – two of which came against fellow top‑six sides Millwall and Coventry.
In the Championship, taking points from big clubs is a hallmark of survival, and Charlton hope to repeat that pattern in the final weeks. "We love the challenge of facing quality players and top teams," Docherty said.
"Ipswich are pushing for a high finish, which is deserved, but we also want to make a statement." He reflected on the journey that brought Charlton back to this level: "We fought hard to earn promotion, to play these matches, to feel the pressure and play for something meaningful. Now, I want to improve our home record again. Our recent home form hasn't been as strong as it should be, and that hurts the players, hurts the fans, and I understand that. Ultimately we just want to start winning games again." As captain, Docherty has been a leading figure on both ends of the pitch.
He currently shares the highest assist tally in the squad with three, while also leading the team in tackles with 47, branding himself an all‑round midfielder. "I have a reputation for the gritty side of the game, and I enjoy that as much as scoring," he admitted. "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." He believes his season started well, experienced a slight dip mid‑campaign, and is now finishing strongly. "I'm personally satisfied, but true happiness comes when the club does 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 backs it up. The Championship is a tough league, and the lessons we learn this year will serve us well next season." Looking ahead, Docherty and the Charlton squad are determined to remain in the Championship for the 2026/27 season. They recognize that narrow margins and a solid home record will be decisive in achieving that goal, and they intend to fight for every point in the remaining fixtures.