Cambridge United attacker Elias Kachunga wins Love Cambridge Player of the Month award for December after scoring goals against Fleetwood Town, Blackpool and Exeter City

Elias Kachunga’s three goals throughout December will not be in the running for any end-of-season prizes.

But not only were they enough to earn him the Love Cambridge Player of the Month award – as voted for by supporters – they will also have been the source of great satisfaction for his head coach Neil Harris.

Shortly after his appointment on December 6, Harris – a clinical marksman during his playing days – made no secret of his delight that he had inherited a player of Kachunga’s quality. He talked up the Germany-born forward’s work-rate, his ability to link up play and leadership skills on and off the pitch.

Yet he also felt that the summer signing from Bolton Wanderers could contribute even more.

It was noticeable from Harris’ first game in charge at Charlton Athletic that Kachunga had been encouraged to be a more regular visitor into the opposition’s penalty box, getting himself between the two goalposts and causing some damage.

And he has done just that, with his trio haul last month all coming from in and around the six-yard box. Aesthetically pleasing goals they may not have been, but they were the type that can turn draws into wins and defeats into draws.

“The gaffer wants me to play a bit closer to the other striker and sniff the goals out a bit more in the box,” said Kachunga, who collected his award from Kibou on Jesus Lane in the city centre earlier this week.

“There’s even more focus to put the ball in the net, that’s what the gaffer has asked me to do, and it’s gone well so far.

“I’ve always been a player to try and help the team as much as possible in the build up play. I’ve played out wide at times and it’s harder to score from out there, but the manager wants me to add goals to my game.

“The goals that are the best for a striker are the ones where you don’t have to do too much work. It’s about being in the right place to put the ball in the net.

“The gaffer told me when he came in that I needed to be more in the situation where the ball can drop and it’s there for me to put it over the line – those are the best goals. Right place, right time and not having to beat two or three players.

“When you’ve got a gaffer that’s played at a high level and scored a lot of goals, you have to listen to this advice and add it into your game.

“He’s put on some great shooting sessions and we’ve got Baz (Barry Corr, assistant) as well. He was a good striker and you can always learn from them.”

December was not only a positive month for Kachunga, but also for the U’s. They progressed in the Emirates FA Cup, picked up seven points in the league and put in a good display – particularly in the first half – during a Boxing Day defeat at play-off hunting Oxford United.

The new year may have got off to a false start with a disappointing display in a 2-0 home loss to Leyton Orient, but with Kachunga and fellow forwards Gassan Ahadme and Fejiri Okenabirhie all sidelined, there were some mitgating circumstances.

Nevertheless, with the opening few weeks of Harris’ tenure having been largely positive, there is renewed optimism around the club and Kachunga is confident that United have the quality to push on during the second half of the campaign and move away from the Sky Bet League One relegation zone.

“The gaffer has a good history in football already as a player and a manager. He’s got his own ideas and he’s put them across quickly,” added the former Germany youth international, who played alongside the likesd of Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen and Borussia Dortmund playmaker Marco Reus back in his homeland.

“We tried to put them on the pitch straight away and I think that’s happened quite well.

“Sometimes it’s nothing against an old manager like Bonz (Mark Bonner) – he was great – but a new manager, with new ideas, it gives a fresh energy to the club and the team.

“We’re enjoying it and we’ve got some important games coming up. We have the group and the people in the team that are better than the position we are in now.

“But sometimes too many injuries can hurt a team and that’s happened to us. We’ve played without a natural striker recently and that’s not easy for any team to cope with.

“In the first three or four games we were able to play with the same team and it helped a lot.

“Hopefully we’ll start to get some bodies back and if we get some good players in the transfer market, I think we’ll have everything in place to finish strong and go in the right direction.”

And it is not lost on Kachunga that if United are to ‘finish strong’, then he has an important role to play.

The former Bundesliga and Premier League attacker set the standard in December and ahead of his hopeful return from a hamstring complaint to the squad for Saturday’s home clash against basement boys Fleetwood Town, there is a determination for the good form to continue.

“In Germany, it’s a bit more tactical in the academies. We played lots of formations and I think that helped me a lot throughout my career,” he said.

“I played in all the big four leagues in Germany and got a lot of experience before coming to England with Huddersfield in the Premier League.

“I want to help this club and the squad with my experience.

“Over the years you learn about your body and your game. I feel good, I don’t feel 31 and I’ve got a few good years ahead of me still.

“I’m really happy at Cambridge. They gave me such a warm welcome, both in the club and also the supporters. I want to give them something back.

“I want to score as many goals as I can. I’ve started a little run so I just want to continue that. As a striker, if you get double figures then it’s thought of as a good season so I’m trying to push towards this.”

What I Like About Cambridge

Q: What are your favourite parts of Cambridge?

EK: “It’s a lovely area. We go into the city and love being there. There’s a lot of walks we like to do just outside the city near where I live. It’s very quiet and we like that.”

Q: Is there anything you’d like to do in the city that you’ve not done yet?

EK: “I’ve not done a proper tour of the city or been to see the universities and museums – that’s something I’d like to do. When the weather starts to get a bit nicer that’s something I’ll try to do.”

Q: What does it mean to win this award?

EK: “It’s always nice to be recognised if the performances are good on the pitch, especially because it’s voted for by supporters.

“I had a little setback at the end of the month with the injury but I’m getting closer to returning and hopefully continuing from where I left off.”

Cambridge United has teamed up with Cambridge BID to give supporters the chance to vote for their Love Cambridge Player of the Month, supported by the Cambridge Independent. Sponsors Love Cambridge is part of Cambridge BID, a collaboration of 1,200 businesses working together to promote and improve the city of Cambridge.