Greg Docherty is fully aware that Charlton face a crucial three‑match stretch as they wrap up their first season back in the Championship, fighting to stay 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 knows exactly where they sit in the table. The upcoming fixture is the first of two consecutive home games – the second will be against another top‑six side, Hull City, which happens to be Docherty's former club, on Saturday. After those two matches, Charlton travel to Swansea for the final game of the campaign.
As the mid‑week fixtures approach, the Addicks sit six points above the bottom three, a cushion that offers some breathing room but still leaves them vulnerable. A recent run of six games without a win – with all three points in that spell coming from away draws – has added a layer of anxiety to an already tense situation. Despite the pressure, Ipswich currently possess the poorest away record among the top ten teams in the Championship, while Charlton remain the only side to have beaten Kieran McKenna's side at Portman Road this season.
Docherty highlighted this fact, saying, "I'm going into the game on Wednesday thinking they've got something to play for, but we've got plenty to play for as well. The win at Portman Road was a real confidence boost for us and it showed we can achieve results against strong opposition." He continued, "You could argue we have let ourselves down a little since then and haven't won as many games, but we have been competitive.
That day we took our margins, and that's what we have lacked in recent home games – the ability to finish chances. We have created numerous opportunities, and the longer we go without converting them, the more it can affect the squad's confidence." Docherty admitted that Charlton have struggled to spread goals across the team this season. "It's not a lack of effort or creativity – we are playing against good teams – but in the last six games we haven't delivered a full 90‑minute performance.
In those short spells where we slip, we are punished, and that is the brutality of this league," he said. Looking ahead, the captain expressed optimism.
"We fully believe we have beaten Ipswich before and we will 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 remains positive as we prepare for the match." Charlton's promotion last season was built on a strong finish under Nathan Jones, who guided the team to victory over Wycombe and Leyton Orient in the play‑offs. This season, the Addicks have secured eight league wins at The Valley, complemented by four draws – two of which came 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 replicate that resilience in the final weeks.
"We relish the challenge of playing against quality players and big teams," Docherty explained. "Ipswich are fighting high up the table and deserve credit, but we also want to prove a point.
We fought hard to get into this league last year, to be in these moments, and now we have pressure on our shoulders to deliver." 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, the fans, and the club as a whole. Ultimately, we just want to get back to winning games again," he said. As captain, Docherty leads by example.
He shares the joint‑highest assist tally in the squad with three, while also topping the team in tackles with 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. But I also 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," he noted. Reflecting on his season, Docherty said, "I feel I started the season well, had a dip in the middle, and am now finishing strong. I'm happy with my personal performance, but my satisfaction comes when the club does well as a team. I will do everything I can to help us win more games because I feel 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 forward, both Docherty and Charlton hope to secure their place in the 2026/27 Championship, aware that fine margins and a solid home record will be essential to achieving that goal.
The upcoming fixtures against Ipswich, Hull City, and Swansea will be decisive in determining whether the Addicks can cement their status in the second tier or face the threat of relegation once again.