Greg Docherty is acutely aware that Charlton face a pivotal three‑match stretch as they wrap up their inaugural season back in the Championship, striving to sidestep an immediate drop to League One. "We know exactly where we sit in the table," the club captain told Sky Sports ahead of Wednesday's showdown with promotion‑chasing Ipswich at The Valley.
The fixture is the first of two consecutive home games – the second pits Charlton against another top‑six side, Hull City, Docherty's former club, on Saturday – before a final‑day trip to Swansea. Going into these mid‑week clashes, the Addicks sit six points clear of the bottom three, a modest cushion that still leaves a watchful eye on the relegation zone.
Their fate is largely in their own hands, yet a six‑game winless run – all three points in that span coming from away draws – has added a layer of nervous tension. Ipswich, however, possess the poorest away record among the top ten Championship teams, while Charlton remain the only side that has managed a victory at Portman Road this season. "I go into Wednesday's game knowing they have something to play for, but we have plenty on our own agenda as well," Docherty explained.
He recalled the confidence boost that the Portman Road win provided: "That match showed we could go out and achieve something. It put our name on the map as a side capable of pulling off results against quality opposition." Docherty admitted that the team may have let itself down in the weeks since that triumph, but stressed that they have remained competitive. "The margins are fine and the level is high.
That day we seized our chances. Lately, especially at home, we haven't been finding the back of the net as often as we should." He highlighted the frustration of missed opportunities: "We've had countless chances to score, and the longer they go unconverted, the more it starts to seep into the squad's confidence. It's the hardest thing to manage, and perhaps we haven't distributed the goal‑scoring burden evenly enough this season.
It's not a lack of effort or creativity – we are up against strong teams – but in the last six fixtures we haven't delivered a full 90‑minute performance." When the team has faltered for even short periods, the consequences have been swift: "In those ten‑minute spells where we slip, the league punishes us. That's the brutality of the Championship." Docherty remains optimistic about the upcoming home game: "We know we have beaten Ipswich before and we will give them the respect they deserve, but coming into a home match, the outcome is in our hands. The mood heading into the game stays positive." Charlton's rise last season under Nathan Jones was built on strong end‑of‑season form, culminating in play‑off victories over Wycombe and Leyton Orient.
This campaign, the Addicks have secured eight league wins at The Valley, complemented by four draws – two of those against fellow top‑six sides Millwall and Coventry. Their ability to take points from bigger clubs is a hallmark of Championship survival, and they hope to repeat that resilience in the coming fixtures.
"We relish the challenge of facing quality players and big teams," Docherty said. "Ipswich are fighting high up the table, rightly so, but we want to make a statement as well." He reflected on the journey that brought Charlton back to this level: "We fought hard to earn promotion, to play these games, to experience the pressure and to compete for something meaningful. Now I want to improve our home record again.
Our home form hasn't been as strong as it once was, and that hurts the players, it hurts the fans, and I understand that. Ultimately, we just want to get back to winning games consistently." As captain, Docherty has been expected to lead by example.
He currently shares the highest assist tally in the squad (three) 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 enjoy that as much as scoring," he admitted.
"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 that next step." He believes the season has had its ebbs and flows: "I felt I started the season well, experienced a slight dip in the middle, and now I'm finishing strong.
I'm personally satisfied, but my happiness is tied to the club's overall performance." Looking ahead, Docherty pledged his commitment: "I'll do everything I can to help us win matches. The next step is to turn the draws and near‑misses into victories because I feel we should have won more.
It's easy to say that, but the evidence supports it. The Championship is a tough league, and the experiences we gather this year will serve us well for next season." Both Docherty and the Charlton squad are determined to secure their place in the 2026/27 Championship, fully aware that fine margins and a solid home record will be decisive in achieving that goal.