Feature interview

08 FEATURE: DEVANTE COLE

Rovers’ patience in the transfer window paid off towards the end of January with the signing of striker Devante Cole from Wigan Athletic.

The 24-year-old brought with him a lot of experience at Sky Bet League One level, as well as a good goalscoring pedigree in the third tier.

Although he is still in the early stages of his time in Souh Yorkshire, he feels he has settled into his new surroundings quickly.

“It’s really early days for me and I’m still settling in, but everyone at the club has been really good with me so far,” he says.

“In general I’m the type of person that settles in quickly, so that wasn’t something I was worrying about too much.

“The other boys are great and a similar age to me so I’m enjoying getting to know them as people and players.

“I probably needed a couple of substitute appearances to get used to the way the team plays and how I fit into that.

“It will probably take me a few games to get up to speed but fortunately we have quite a lot in a short space of time.”

After a frustrating time at the DW Stadium, and finding himself sent out on loan to Scottish Premership side Motherwell for the first half of the campaign, Cole knew his next career move was an important one.

The January window isn’t always the easiest to get deals done, but the striker says he knew Rovers were the club for him when he considered his options.

“I had to try and choose a place that was suited to me and one that was in a good position in the league table,” he says.

“It’s a big part of my career right now and I’m determined to do what I can for the team in the next few months.

“All stages are important but my focus now is on doing well here and if I impress individually then that will benefit the team.

“The few days I’ve spent with the manager have been really good, the boys have nothing but good words to say about him.

“I spoke to a few people away from the club when I was making my mind up, they were mainly players who I knew from other clubs.”

Despite still being at a relatively young age, Cole has made more than 150 appearances in the third tier alone throughout his career.

He has two promotions on his CV as well, something which will benefit the Rovers dressing room between now and the end of the season.

“I’ve won promotion from this division in the past and this team has a lot of similarities to those I’ve been involved in,” says Cole.

“We play good football and have a strong squad, with the manager using us as he does we all want to do well for him.

“I feel I have a point to prove as things didn’t go as I would have liked at Wigan, I know I can score goals so hopefully I can show that here.

“I’m still young but feel with the amount of football I’ve played I can help the players around me by using my experience.”

Cole was the first of four signings in the final week of January, with FejiriOkenabirhie, Jacob Ramsey and Jason Lokilo all following him through the door at the Keepmoat Stadium.

He believes the whole squad are relishing that competition for places, as it what every side chasing promotion needs at this stage of the season.

Those additions will compliment the players that are already at the club, with the creativity in the side creating chances in abundance for the forward line.

“It was nice to see more players brought in after me because having plenty of competition brings out the best in players,” he says.

“Any team chasing promotion needs to have different options and people pushing you all the time in case you slip up.

“The fact there was a game the day after I signed meant that I didn’t have much time to think and could get straight into it which was good.

“There is so much creativity within the side and that is something I’m looking forward to being a part of.

“I’ve seen a lot of Jon Taylor in particular at this level and he is always a threat for opposing defenders so it will be good to play alongside him. Obviously

James Coppinger is a really smart player and has so much experience at this level, he’s seen it all and knows the division.”

After winning one of their games in hand at Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday night, Rovers are now just a few points off the top six.

Cole sees no reason why they can’t mount a serious challenge to push even further up the table, with a run of games coming up that the squad see as winnable.

“Obviously we’ve managed to win one of our games in hand the other night so now we’ve put ourselves in an even better position,” Cole adds.

“We’ve all been in the game long enough now to deal with this type of pressure so it’s something we’re all relishing.

“If we win our next few games then we’ll be right up there in the table, it’s a very tight league and a run of positive results can help you put the pressure on the other sides.