Greg Docherty is acutely aware that Charlton face a critical three‑match run to close out their inaugural season back in the Championship, as they strive to prevent an immediate drop to League One. "We know exactly where we sit in the table," the captain told Sky Sports ahead of Wednesday's showdown with promotion‑chasing Ips Ipswich at The Valley. The fixture is part of a back‑to‑back home stretch, the second game being a clash with fellow top‑six side Hull City – Docherty's former club – on Saturday, followed by a final‑day away trip to Swansea.
As the mid‑week games approach, Charlton sit six points clear of the bottom three, a modest cushion that still leaves a watchful eye on the relegation zone. Their survival, however, remains largely in their own hands, despite a recent six‑game winless run in which all three points came from away draws, heightening the anxiety among supporters and players alike. Ipswich, meanwhile, own the poorest away record among the top ten Championship teams, while Charlton are the only side to have defeated Kieran McKenna's side at Portman Road this season – a victory that has given the Addicks a significant confidence boost.
"Going into Wednesday, I know they have something to play for, but we have plenty of reasons to be motivated as well," Docherty said. "Our win at Portman Road showed we can compete and that we are capable of delivering results against strong opposition." He continued, "You could argue we have let ourselves down by not winning more games since then, but we have remained competitive. That day we seized the margins that have been missing in recent matches, especially at home where we have struggled to find the back of the net." Docherty admitted that a lack of goals at The Valley has been a persistent issue.
"We've had numerous chances, and the longer the drought continues, the more it seeps into the squad's confidence. We haven't distributed the scoring burden evenly across the team this season, not because we lack effort or creativity, but because we've been up against quality opponents and haven't been able to sustain a full 90‑minute performance in the last six games.
When we have a short lapse, the league punishes us mercilessly – that's the harsh reality of the Championship." Looking ahead, he emphasized the belief within the group: "We know we have beaten Ipswich before and we will give them the respect they deserve, but coming into a home game, the outcome is in our hands. The mood in the dressing room remains positive as we prepare for this encounter." Charlton's promotion campaign last season was built on strong end‑of‑season form under Nathan Jones, with play‑off victories over Wycombe and Leyton Orient.
This term, the Addicks have recorded eight league wins at The Valley and four draws, two of which came against fellow top‑six teams Millwall and Coventry. Their ability to take points from bigger clubs is a hallmark of Championship survival, and they hope to replicate that knack in the upcoming fixtures. "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 worked hard to earn our place in this league, to experience these moments, and to shoulder the pressure that comes with it. Now, I want to improve our home record again. Our home form hasn't been as strong as it should be, and that hurts us as players and the fans.
Ultimately, we just want to get back to winning games." As captain, Docherty leads by example. He shares the joint‑highest assist tally (three) in the squad and tops the team in tackles (47), describing himself as an all‑round midfielder. "I have a reputation for the gritty side of the game, and I love that part of my role.
I get a buzz from it just as much as from scoring," he said. "But I also want to contribute more at the attacking end.
The manager has been working with me on that, and I'm pushing myself to take the next step." Reflecting on his season, he noted, "I felt I started the campaign well, experienced a slight dip in the middle, but I'm finishing strong. I'm happy with my personal performance, but true satisfaction comes when the club does well as a whole. 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 league is extremely tough, and the experiences we gather this year will serve us well next season." Both Docherty and Charlton are hoping that the 2026/27 season will see them remain in the Championship, fully aware that fine margins and a solid home record will be decisive in achieving that goal. Their upcoming matches against Ipswich, Hull City, and Swansea will be crucial tests of character, resilience, and the ability to convert opportunities into points as the season draws to a close.