Weale Misses Out To Seven Goal Haul

Saturday, 14 November 2009 10:28

Goalkeeper Chris Weale missed out this morning on the Championship Player Of The Month Award for October to Cardiff's Peter Whittingham.

Whittingham's claim was particularly strong having scored seven times across four October games, to beat off the challenge from Queens Park Rangers midfielder Adel Taarabt, who is on loan from Spurs, Swansea City defender Alan Tate, and Leicester City's Weale.

It is an official Coca-Cola sponsored Football League accolade and was announced on Sky Sports Soccer AM this morning. The Panel Of The Month awards panel includes former World Cup referee Jack Taylor, on behalf of The Football League, Steve Bates, Chairman of the Football Writers' Association, Malcolm Clarke, Chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation and Steve Watts, Marketing Assets Manager, Coca-Cola Great Britain.

Leicester's strong October showing, over five fixtures, owed a lot to Weale's impressive three clean sheets and only two goals conceded.

The former Yeovil favourite is, in effect, only three months into not just his Leicester City career, but his Championship career 'proper', having followed Gary Johnson from Huish Park to Ashton Gate. Injuries were the initial halt to his Bristol City progress, finding that Adranno Basso had cemented his place in the starting line-up when they did finally clear. Basso's refusal to sign a new deal since has proved an irony for Weale, who left Bristol City in order to find first-team opportunity.

Weale however certainly won't look back, as he has taken his chance at Leicester City exceedingly well. Overall to-date for the season, he has kept seven clean sheets and let in just sixteen goals in eighteen matches. Leicester fans appear to be in full agreement that his all round game is superb.

Many had been sceptical following Weale's lack of games at Ashton Gate, but it comes as no surprise to Glovers supporters who have seen him come up through the ranks, displaying both superb talent and attitude. And then, of course, his contribution last season on loan. In a crucial relegation fight he returned 'home' to excel in goal, topped by that amazing injury-time headed goal against Hereford, which has fixed him even-more firmly in the appreciation of the Yeovil support.

Leicester City supporters are so impressed that they are tipping him for greater things, as indeed did the Yeovil fans. Chris has always shown he is level headed and is aware of the need to apply himself, as in his comments when joining the Foxes: "If I keep improving and stay injury-free, I will be an ever-present. I was a regular at Yeovil and enjoyed it. At Bristol I wasn't playing regularly and I believe I am a No.1. My performances will dictate that and the manager dictates that in his team selection. But as long as you come in every day and work on your areas, try to improve and have a good attitude, then hopefully you will get selected."

The amiable goalkeeper came impressively close to making it a double for former Yeovil Town players, following former loan striker Leon Best winning the award in September.

Chris Weale is a wonderful home grown talent and admirable character, no doubt the Yeovil support will unitedly congratulate the likeable goalkeeper, and share his pride in what is an excellent achievement to be closely considered against such strong competition for such an accolade.