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 showdown with promotion‑chasing Ipswich at The Valley, emphasizing that the team is conscious of its league position.
"We know exactly where we sit on the table," Docherty said, underscoring the importance of the upcoming fixtures. Charlton will host Ipswich on Wednesday and then welcome Hull City – the side Docherty once played for – on Saturday, before concluding the campaign with an away trip to Swansea on the final day. At the time of the interview, Charlton sat six points above the relegation zone. While the spectre of the drop remains in the background, the Addicks retain control of their destiny.
Yet a six‑game winless streak, during which all three points earned came from away draws, has added a layer of nervous tension to the mix. Ipswich, on the other hand, boast the poorest away record among the top ten Championship clubs, whereas Charlton are the only side to have beaten Kieran McKenna’s side at Portman Road this season – a result that gives the Addicks a psychological edge.
Docherty reflected on that victory: "Going into Wednesday’s game, we know Ipswich have something to fight for, but we have plenty of reasons to be confident as well. The win at Portman Road was a massive confidence boost.
It showed we can compete and achieve results against strong opposition." He acknowledged that the team’s form has slipped since that triumph. "You could argue we’ve let ourselves down a bit and haven’t collected as many wins lately, but we’ve remained competitive. The margins are fine, and that day we seized ours," he added.
The captain highlighted a key issue: scoring. "Our recent home performances have lacked the cutting edge – we haven’t been putting the ball in the net enough. We’ve created numerous chances, and when those chances dry up, it can start to affect the whole squad," he explained. "We’ve perhaps been too reliant on a few players for goals this season.
It’s not a lack of effort or creativity – we’re up against quality teams – but over the last six games we haven’t delivered a full 90‑minute performance. In those brief periods when we falter, the league punishes you brutally." Docherty remained optimistic about the upcoming home fixture.
"We know we’ve beaten Ipswich before and we’ll give them the respect they deserve, but as we head into a home game the outcome is in our hands. The mood in the dressing room stays positive as we prepare." The Addicks earned promotion last season under Nathan Jones by winning the play‑offs, beating Wycombe and Leyton Orient. This campaign, Charlton have recorded eight league victories at The Valley, complemented by four draws – two of which came against fellow top‑six sides Millwall and Coventry.
Their ability to snatch points from stronger opponents has been a hallmark of their season, and they hope to repeat that pattern in the final weeks. "We relish the challenge of facing quality players and big clubs," Docherty said. "Ipswich are fighting near the top of 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 them." He stressed the need to improve the home record.
"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," he declared. As captain, Docherty has led by example. He shares the joint‑highest assist tally in the squad with three, while also topping the team’s tackle count at 47, branding himself an all‑round midfielder.
"I’ve built a reputation for the tougher side of the game, and I enjoy that as much as scoring," he admitted. "But I also want to contribute more offensively. The manager has been working with me on that, and I’ve pushed myself to add that extra dimension." He evaluated his season’s trajectory: "I felt I started strongly, hit a dip in the middle, but I’m finishing the season on a good note.
Personally I’m satisfied, but I’m only truly happy when the club is thriving and we’re succeeding as a unit. I’ll do everything I can to help us win more games because I believe we should have secured more points.
It’s easy to say that, but the evidence supports it. The Championship is a tough league, and the experiences we’ve gathered this year will serve us well next season." Looking ahead, both Docherty and Charlton hope to secure their place in the 2026/27 Championship, fully aware that fine margins – particularly at home – will determine their fate.
The final stretch offers a chance to cement their status and build momentum for the future.