Peter Whittingham named as player of the month

Cardiff City’s Peter Whittingham has been named Coca-Cola Championship player of the month for October.

He beat off competition from Leicester City’s Chris Weale, Queens Park Rangers’ Adel Taarabt and Alan Tate of neighbours Swansea City, but Whittingham’s seven goals from four matches scooped him the award.

“I don’t know where the goals are coming from,” said the midfielder, “but as long as they keep coming I’m happy!” He says manager Dave Jones has encouraged him to try more shots on goal: “The gaffer has told me to be more confident in my shooting and have a go from anywhere.”

A wonderful month began with a brace in the 4-0 win at Watford – the Bluebirds’ first victory at Vicarage Road since 1970. Goals in the draw at Crystal Palace and 2-0 win over Coventry followed, the latter being especially sweet for Whittingham: “It was extra satisfying against Coventry because they let me go when I was 16. It’s always a good feeling when you do that against a club who thought you weren’t good enough.”

The month was rounded off in spectacular fashion with a hat-trick in the thrilling 4-3 victory at Sheffield United: “It was an amazing feeling to get the hat-trick,” said Whittingham, whose luck turned as November began with a knee injury in the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, but the international break has given him extra time to recover and he hopes to be back for the Championship match at Barnsley on Saturday.

By Alex Winter