Sone Aluko’s superb recent form has seen him rewarded with a nomination for the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month award for October.
The former Hull City forward put together some of the most consistent displays of his Fulham career over the past month and his excellent displays have coincided with Slavisa Jokanovic’s recent revival that his seen the team revive hopes of moving into the promotion picture. Aluko’s month began in the most desperate fashion – striking the post with an injury-time penalty that would have rescued a point in the derby with Queens Park Rangers – but the Nigerian international put that disappointment behind him almost immediately.
Aluko scored a vital equaliser before half-time to begin Fulham’s comeback at Barnsley two weeks later and produced a sensational performance against the half-flying Huddersfield Town, laying on three goals as Fulham put five past the Terriers. The Hounslow-born man’s excellent run of form continued with a goalscoring display in the local derby defeat of Brentford at Griffin Park on Friday night.
The 27 year-old is up against Reading goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi, Brighton centre back Lewis Dunk and Newcastle forward Dwight Gayle – both former Fulham transfer targets – in contention for the award. A panel comprising the former Wolves midfielder and Sky Sports commentator Don Goodman, the League Managers’ Association director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet’s football trading manager Paul Lowery will meet to decide the winner.