Natural born Cole scorer
Alexander hails on-fire Well hitman Devante for lethal run
DEVANTE COLE’S season was a slow burner.
Then Graham Alexander arrived and lit the spark that has helped move Motherwell clear of relegation trouble.
Cole will go hunting for his sixth goal since Alexander became boss when the Steelmen host Livingston today.
The Fir Park boss hopes he’s found the key to unlocking the best in the 25-year-old.
Previously used all across the frontline, Cole is now operating exactly where he wants to be – as a central striker.
That contentment has resulted not only in five goals in 11 games but improved allround performances in his second spell with the club.
Alexander said: “Devante knows his job and he’s doing that really well at the moment.
“We know of his qualities, we know what makes him tick. He hadn’t had a brilliant time since returning to Motherwell with injuries and form but he hit the ground running in our first game by scoring at St Mirren.
“It’s not just telling players what to do but giving them a platform to produce what they’re good at.
“We try to take into account their natural abilities and play to their strengths, rather than fit them into our way of playing.
“We’ve played Coley straight up front. He’s not a winger, he’s not a behind-the-striker player.
“He wants to play right up there where he can get into the box and score goals.
“That’s what we’ve asked him to do. We’ve directed the team to be aggressive in our attacking play to give lads chances – then it’s down to them to take them.
“His goals are a bonus for me. It’s what he does off the ball and bringing others into play, his work ethic and commitment that also matters. Others up there with him, like Chris Long, Tony Watt and Jordan Roberts, have been a real thorn in the side of opponents.
“But Coley has got the goals. That’s in his make-up. Apart from last week they’ve all been around the six-yard box.
“He’s that poacher type but it’s his all-round game that has impressed me most.”
Alexander has forgiven Cole for netting for Fleetwood against his Scunthorpe team in a big late-season promotion clash in League One four years ago.
Cole laughed and said: “I’m repaying him now so hopefully that’s all right!
“He’s changed a few things up front. He wants me to go out to play my normal game, be in the centre and score goals because that’s what he believes I can do.
“As a striker, that’s exactly what you want to hear. So far it has worked. Having the trust of a manager is what you want, you go out on the pitch a bit more relaxed. If you feel like it’s one mistake and you might come off, it’s not so good.
“With the three playing now, we’re all more central. It gives me the chance to be in and around where I want to be.”
Well responded to a 3-0 shocker at home to St Johnstone with a draw at St Mirren and a huge win over Hibs last Saturday.
That created a seven-point cushion over Kilmarnock and Hamilton in the drop places.
Alexander saw his men suffer from letting the side down and was thrilled to see them respond.
He said: “Negative performances and results certainly hit the atmosphere a little bit – and rightly so. You want people to care and to feel the emotion about results and performances.
“I’m delighted with how the players approached the setbacks. They’ve hit back hard and well.”
JOE LEWIS admits it has been an underwhelming season for Aberdeen but is adamant there’s still time to turn it into something special.
Derek McInnes’ Dons are still in the fight for third spot, which could open up a path to European football until at least Christmas, while the Scottish Cup being dragged out of cold storage is another route to glory.
Lewis is gearing up for the big push and the keeper is convinced his side can finish with a flourish.
He said: “There’s not much time left between now and the end of the season, so every game is vital and really important to every team.
“Everyone is fighting for something and now the Scottish Cup is being played, it adds another dynamic to it.
“We have to fight for every point, take it one game at a time and then literally scrap for everything.
“If we can get things right in the next few months, we might be able to look back on the season with a different outlook. We might see that it had better moments at certain stages.
“It’s such a big opportunity to transform our season into something successful.
“The way the competition is going to be, with it so condensed, you don’t need to play well for a massive portion of the season to win the trophy.
“It could just be a team who go on a really good run and get the momentum at the right time.
“That could be enough to win you the trophy and hopefully we can be that team.”
Lewis and Co want third but the Red Army crave silverware.
The Dons lifted the League Cup in 2014 and have come close a few times since.
But watching St Johnstone win the same tourney last weekend, to make it two trophies in seven years, can only spur on the Pittodrie men. Lewis, whose side will play either Dumbarton or Huntly in the third round of the Scottish, said: “I don’t pay too much attention to who wins the cups if we’re not in them. I’m not too bothered.
“But certainly seeing St Johnstone win it should give teams a bit of inspiration.
“We always feel like the cup competitions are a good opportunity for us to win silverware.
“We’ll certainly be looking at the Scottish Cup as a way of making our season a good one instead of indifferent.” The road to Hampden can wait as Aberdeen need to deal with Hamilton in the league today. And McInnes has warned that Accies treat every game like a cup tie. He’s not surprised to see Brian Rice’s outfit kicking into form at the right time, as usual, in the fight to beat the drop and reckons his Dons will need to be ready for a scrap.
The Pittodrie boss said: “I do think Hamilton are good value. I’ve always sung their praises – they’re a good club.
“Despite the challenges they face financially, they always find a way to stay in the league and good on them.
“Hamilton play cup football every week. I feel they always play as though they’re 1-0 down. I say that to my players and that’s a real strength of theirs – they always feel they’re still in the game.
“Even when you go two and three up against them sometimes, they never give it up.
“I’ve managed against Billy Reid, Alex Neil, Martin Canning and Chipper [Rice]. They’re all the same, there’s an identity there.
“They’ve a fantastic team spirit, they’ve got quality within their team and you wouldn’t bet against them staying in the league again.”
McInnes is still without injured duo Ryan Hedges and Fraser Hornby but revealed the attacking pair could be back this season.
Hibs are four points clear in third spot, having played one fewer game, and McInnes added: “Getting Fraser back could be key for us.
“We’ll keep pushing Ryan to try to get him available for the last game or two.
“But we have to win games between now and then or the last few fixtures won’t matter.
“It’s a long shot to have him back but with an extended cup run, he may just have a chance to be involved.”
It’s such a big opportunity to transform our season into something successful
JOE LEWIS ON DONS’ RUN-IN
JACK ROSS insists there can’t be a “them and us” stand-off between bosses and refs.
or actions, the better. What Derek said is totally right. The Hibs manager admits “There should be a good he doesn’t always speak to relationship. There is in officialdom in the correct some cases but in others manner but is convinced there isn’t. We have a some understanding over responsibility in that but so the matchday pressures he do the officials. and his counterparts are “If both parties are willing under may help calm tensions. to recognise that, then its
Derek McInnes has healthier in general. I don’t suggested that a regular always speak to officials in repeat of the Perth 2019 the correct manner. I try summit between all parties to but I know I don’t because could be beneficial with I’m in a highly emotive job. clashes on the increase. “The best officials are the
And Ross agrees with the ones who understand that. Aberdeen gaffer. “There is a line that can’t be crossed but if there is a lack of understanding that HIBS you are going to get upset at times, then it’s not a great starting point. “With anything, the longer you go without having dialogue between stakeholders, the more potential there is for a disconnect Ross, meanwhile, is between them in all aspects. looking for his team to take
“There are some officials a step towards sealing third who do communicate better spot in Perth today and but, equally, there are times admits it’s now crunch time. where we as managers don’t The manager, who is communicate in the most delighted the 2020-21 appropriate manner. Scottish Cup can be
“The more opportunities completed, finished a job you have to express when getting St Mirren over frustrations or concerns, or the line to win a title. explain your own behaviour Ross said: “It gives you a
He said: “It is something that would be more than worthwhile. It should never be seen as a them and us situation.
“Some do it better than others but that’s because some people are better communicators.”
very good understanding of how difficult it is to do when you get to that final part.
“It is the hardest part, winning semifinals and finals, winning the league, qualifying for Europe, whatever those achievements should be – and that is where we want to be as a club. Every time you have that experience, it strengthens you and ensures you are better prepared.
“We have guys who have previous experience of achieving success with Hibs and players who have come from other clubs who have had admirable success, so they understand.”
Midfielder Chris Cadden admitted it’ll be about more than ability as he added: “I’ve always said the mental aspect is so important in football, especially as you’re challenging higher up.
“That’s something the gaffer tries to instil in us.”