Greg Docherty is fully aware that Charlton Athletic face a crucial three‑match stretch as they try to secure their place in the Championship after just one season back. The captain spoke exclusively to Sky Sports before the Wednesday showdown with promotion‑chasing Ipswich Town at The Valley, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming fixtures. "We know exactly where we sit in the table," Docherty said, highlighting that the Addicks sit six points clear of the bottom three as they head into a pivotal mid‑week period. The club will host Ipswich on Wednesday and then Hull City – Docherty's former team – on Saturday before travelling to Swansea for the final game of the campaign.
While there is a lingering sense of caution, Charlton still control their own destiny; a six‑game winless run, comprised solely of away draws, has added a layer of nervous tension. Ipswich, however, have struggled away from Portman Road, possessing the poorest away record among the top ten Championship sides.
Charlton, by contrast, are the only team that has managed to beat Kieran McKenna's side at that venue this season, a result that gave the Addicks a significant confidence boost. Docherty explained, "Going into Wednesday's match, we know they have something to play for, but we have just as much at stake. The victory at Portman Road proved we can compete with the best and showed we are capable of achieving results when it matters." He added that the team may have let themselves down in the weeks since that win, but stressed that Charlton have remained competitive, illustrating how fine the margins can be in a league where a single goal often decides the outcome.
"We have struggled to find the back of the net at home lately," he admitted. "We have created numerous chances, but the longer the drought continues, the more it can affect the squad's confidence." The captain also pointed out that Charlton have not distributed goals as evenly as they would like this season.
"It's not a lack of effort or creativity – we are up against quality opponents – but in the last six games we haven't delivered a full 90‑minute performance. When we have a brief lapse, the league punishes us harshly." Looking ahead, Docherty remains optimistic. "We know we have beaten Ipswich before and we will give them the respect they deserve, but playing at home gives us the chance to dictate our own destiny. The mood in the dressing room is positive, and we intend to carry that into the match." Charlton earned promotion last season under Nathan Jones by defeating Wycombe Wanderers and Leyton Orient in the play‑offs, and this year they have already secured eight league victories at The Valley, along with four draws – two of those against fellow top‑six sides Millwall and Coventry City.
Their ability to snatch points from stronger teams is a hallmark of Championship survival, and they hope to repeat that pattern in the final weeks. "We enjoy the challenge of facing talented players and high‑profile clubs," Docherty said. "Ipswich are fighting near the top of the table, and we want to prove we belong in this league as well.
We worked hard to get here, and now we must deliver when the pressure is on." Improving the home record is a priority for the captain. "Our home form hasn't been as strong as it should be, and that hurts the players and the fans.
Our aim is to get back to winning regularly at The Valley." As the team's leader, Docherty has contributed both offensively and defensively. He shares the highest assist tally in the squad (three) and leads in tackles (47), describing himself as a well‑rounded midfielder.
He reflected on his playing style, noting, "I have a reputation for the more physical side of the game, and I enjoy that aspect as much as scoring. But I also want to add more goals.
The manager has been working with me on that, and I am pushing myself to improve." He believes his season started strongly, experienced a dip in the middle, and is now finishing on a positive note. "I feel good personally, but my happiness depends on the club's success.
I will do everything I can to help us win more games because I know we should have won more. It's easy to say that, but the evidence is there.
The Championship is a tough league, and the experiences we gain this year will serve us well next season." Looking beyond the current campaign, both Docherty and Charlton hope to retain their Championship status for 2026/27. They understand that fine margins, especially in home performances, will be decisive in achieving that goal. The Addicks will aim to turn their recent home struggles around, convert the chances they create into goals, and secure the points needed to stay clear of the relegation zone as the season draws to a close.