WITH nine goals already to his name and a Player of the Month award in the bag, life on the pitch couldn’t be much better for Joe Cardle.

The in-form winger reckons hard work over the summer has contributed to his blistering form but believes a happy and settled home life after becoming a dad for the second time has been just as big a factor.

Cardle and fiancée Lucy’s most recent arrival, Lyla Jo, was born in June but was seven weeks premature, sparking a worrying time for the fans’ favourite and his family.

Her early arrival led to the 30-year-old spending countless nights sleeping in hospital to support his other half but, with Lyla Jo settled at home alongside elder sister Josie-Anne, he says it has helped him deliver on the field.

“I am delighted. It’s nice to get things like that (the award) but I can’t thank the team enough,” he told Press Sport.

“I’ve had a good start, scored a couple and set a few up, so long may it continue. I’ll keep working hard on the training pitch and I hope to get a few more goals.

“I was of the mindset to work hard over the summer; I did a lot of running and worked on my fitness levels, which helped, and my family life is going great.

“I’m so proud of my two girls and Lucy and I think that if you have a happy family life then that does help on the pitch.

“Lyla Jo was 11-weeks-old on Monday and she’s doing great; she’s gaining weight and is sleeping well. She’s in her own wee routine now and it’s been fantastic.

“At the time, I was basically living in the hospital for a month to support Lucy. It was tough going because it was so unexpected that she’d be seven weeks early.

“But we got on with it and I’m so proud of all my girls.”

Such is the way things have been going for Cardle so far that Lyla Jo’s first-ever game watching her dad – the 3-1 win over Falkirk – had to include a goal for the whole family to remember.

He’s more than halfway to emulating his best scoring season of 16 – achieved in the League One title-winning campaign – and has been one of the first names on Allan Johnston’s team-sheet.

His effort at Morton on Saturday was the fourth successive league match in which he’s found the net and his consistent performances are in contrast to last season, where he found himself in and out of the side.

When asked whether he’s playing some of the best football of his career, Cardle replied: “I don’t really think about that but it’s up there.

“We’re getting performances and the aim is to keep scoring goals and winning games. I was frustrated last season so I worked extra hard during the off-season but I don’t want it to stop.

“I’m just enjoying it so much this season, just being in training every day and being with the lads. My confidence is high just now and I’m thriving on that.

“It was disappointing on Saturday (against Morton). We started well and played some good stuff in the first half but we can’t dwell on it.

“We need to pick ourselves up and we’ve got a tough game on Saturday but it’s one we’re excited for.

“It’s the perfect game and timing for us.”

He added: “To lose our first game is really disappointing but there were a lot of positives; we were 2-0 up, were still creating chances and still scoring goals.

“Everyone’s excited for Saturday at 3pm and that’s the way it should be. We’re playing such good football, especially at home, and the standard at training is amazing.

“We’ve got everything there but consistency is the key. We’ve got great players and we’ve only got to be positive.

“We’ve had a great start and they’re all big games and games to look forward to.

“But we can’t sit on that; the main award will come at the end of the season. It’s about keeping that level up and winning each week.”