Greg Docherty is acutely aware that Charlton face a decisive three‑match run to close out their first season back in the Championship and to keep clear of an immediate drop to League One. The club captain spoke exclusively to Sky Sports before Wednesday’s showdown with promotion‑chasing Ipswich at The Valley, emphasizing that the team is fully conscious of its position in the league table.
The upcoming mid‑week fixture is one of two consecutive home games for the Addicks, the second being a clash with another top‑six side, Hull City – Docherty’s former club – on Saturday, before a final‑day trip to Swansea. As the season draws to a close, Charlton sit six points above the relegation zone.
While there is a lingering sense of caution, the squad still holds its Championship status largely in its own hands. Nevertheless, a six‑game winless streak – with all three points in that period coming from away draws – has added a layer of anxiety to the mix. Ipswich, on the other hand, possess the poorest away record among the top ten teams in the division, whereas Charlton remain the only side to have defeated Kieran McKenna’s side at Portman Road this season.
Docherty reflected on that victory, saying, "Going into Wednesday’s game I know they have something to play for, but we have plenty of motivation as well. The win at Portman Road was a real confidence boost and showed that we can achieve results against strong opposition." He continued, "You could argue we have let ourselves down a little by not winning as many games since, but we have been competitive. Those fine margins are what separate us.
That day we seized our margins. What we have lacked recently, especially at home, is the ability to put the ball in the net. We have created many chances, and the longer that drought continues, the more it can affect the squad’s morale." Docherty admitted the team has struggled to distribute goals across the squad this season, not because of a lack of effort or creativity, but because they have been up against quality opponents and have not delivered full‑time performances in the last six matches. "In those occasional ten‑minute spells where we falter, the league punishes us brutally," he said.
He added, "We fully believe we have beaten Ipswich before and we will give them the respect they deserve, but heading into a home game the outcome is in our hands. The mood in the dressing room remains positive as we prepare for the challenge." Charlton’s promotion campaign under Nathan Jones last season was built on strong end‑of‑season form, seeing them overcome Wycombe and Leyton Orient in the play‑offs. This term, the Addicks have secured eight league victories at The Valley, complemented by four draws – two of which came against fellow top‑six teams Millwall and Coventry. Their ability to snatch points from bigger clubs is a hallmark of Championship football, and they hope to repeat that pattern in the coming fixtures.
"We relish the challenge of facing quality players and big teams," Docherty explained. "Ipswich are fighting high up the table and they deserve credit, but we also want to make a statement.
We fought hard to earn our place in this league, to experience these moments, and to shoulder the pressure that comes with it." He stressed the importance of improving Charlton’s home record, noting that it has not been as strong as in previous seasons and that this shortfall hurts both players and supporters. "Ultimately we just want to get back to winning games again," he said.
As captain, Docherty has been required to lead by example. He currently shares the highest assist tally in the squad (three) and leads the team in tackles (47), describing himself as an all‑round midfielder. "I have a reputation for the tougher side of the game and I enjoy that as much as scoring," he remarked. "But I definitely want to contribute more at the attacking end.
The manager has been working with me on that, and I’ve pushed myself to improve – that’s the next step for me." Reflecting on his season, Docherty said, "I feel I started well, had a dip in the middle, and am now finishing strong. I’m happy with my personal performance, but my happiness is tied to the club’s success.
I’ll do everything I can to help us win more games because I believe we should have won more. It’s easy to say that, but the evidence supports it. This league is tough, and the experiences we gain this year will serve us well next season." Looking ahead, both Docherty and Charlton hope the 2026/27 campaign remains in the Championship.
They understand that fine margins – particularly a solid home record – will be essential to securing their place and building on the progress made during a challenging inaugural season back in the second tier.