Greg Docherty is fully aware that Charlton face a crucial three‑match run to close out their first season back in the Championship, with the ultimate goal of steering clear of an immediate drop to League One. The club captain spoke exclusively to Sky Sports ahead of Wednesday's home clash with promotion‑chasing Ipswich at The Valley, emphasizing that the team is not blind to its position in the league table. The upcoming fixture is the first of two consecutive home games, the second being a showdown against another top‑six side, Hull City – Docherty's former club – on Saturday, before a final‑day trip to Swansea.
As the midweek fixtures approach, Charlton sit six points above the relegation zone. While there is a lingering sense of caution, the Addicks retain control over their own Championship destiny. Nevertheless, a recent six‑game winless streak – during which all three points earned came from away draws – has added a layer of anxiety to the mix. Docherty pointed out that Ipswich currently possess the poorest away record among the top ten teams in the division, whereas Charlton are the only side that has managed to beat Kieran McKenna's side at Portman Road this season.
"Going into Wednesday’s game, I know they have something to play for, but we have plenty on our own agenda as well," the captain said. "The victory at Portman Road was a massive confidence boost and it showed we can compete and achieve results against strong opposition." He acknowledged that the team may have let itself down by not converting more of those performances into wins, yet stressed that Charlton have remained competitive. "That day we seized our chances, and that’s the fine margin we’ve been missing lately, especially at home where we haven’t been finding the back of the net as often as we should," he explained. "We’ve created numerous scoring opportunities, and the longer we go without converting them, the more it starts to affect the squad’s morale." Docherty admitted the side has struggled to distribute goals across the team this season.
"It isn’t a lack of effort or creativity – we’re up against quality opponents – but in the last six games we haven’t delivered a full 90‑minute performance. In those brief periods when we falter, the league’s harshness punishes us," he added. Looking ahead, the captain remains optimistic. "We know we’ve beaten Ipswich before and we’ll give them the respect they deserve, but heading into a home match, the outcome is in our hands.
That positive mindset will stay with us as we approach the game," he said. Charlton’s ascent to the Championship last season was driven by strong end‑of‑season form under Nathan Jones, who guided the club to promotion via play‑off victories over Wycombe and Leyton Orient. This campaign, the Addicks have recorded eight league wins at The Valley, complemented by four draws – two of which came against fellow top‑six contenders Millwall and Coventry.
The nature of the Championship means that taking points from bigger clubs is a hallmark of successful teams, and Charlton will be hoping to repeat that pattern in the coming fixtures. "We relish the challenge of facing quality players and big clubs," Docherty said. "Ipswich are fighting high up the table and they deserve credit, but we also want to prove a point for ourselves." He reflected on the journey that brought the club back to this level: "We fought 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 disappoints the fans. Ultimately, we just want to get back to winning games consistently." As captain, Docherty has been a leader on the pitch throughout the season. He currently shares the highest assist tally in the squad with three, while also leading in tackles with 47, positioning himself as an all‑round midfielder.
"I’ve earned a reputation for the more gritty 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’ve pushed myself to improve – that’s the next step." He believes his season started well, experienced a slight dip in the middle, and is now finishing strongly.
"I’m satisfied with my personal performance, but I’m only truly happy when the club is doing well as a whole. I’ll do everything I can to help us win more matches because I feel we should have taken more points.
It’s easy to say that, but the evidence supports it. This league is tough, and the experiences we’ve gathered this year will serve us well for next season." Looking forward, both Docherty and Charlton are keen for the 2026/27 campaign to remain in the Championship, fully aware that fine margins and a solid home record will be decisive in achieving that aim.
The next few games will be a true test of their resilience, ambition, and ability to turn close contests into valuable points as they strive to secure their place among England’s second‑tier clubs.