ANDY Cole is relishing the thought of a return to his old stomping ground, just three weeks after making the move to Ewood.

And he is hoping for a warm reception from the United fans who used to idolise him.

"I left United on very good terms and I was never, ever going to start bad-mouthing people when I left because I have no reason to.

"I had seven great years there and I hope when I go back I'll get a great reception there because I felt I had a great rapport with the fans.

"So I'm looking forward to it.

"As I've said before, it was a tough decision to leave and it might have been different if I'd been 24 or 25.

"But I'm 30, I had to think about the possibility of going to the World Cup, and I just wanted to play football.

"When you're used to playing and then all of a sudden, at the start of the season you're told you won't be playing because they want to play a certain system, that doesn't register.

"I could have stayed but Graeme Souness has given me an opportunity to come here and play football and I'm not here for a jolly.

"That's not in my nature, I'm a winner and I want to carry on winning things."

Some critics suggested Cole would find life after Old Trafford as something of a culture shock.

But he has adjusted quickly to his new working environment and the chance to work under Graeme Souness has also given him a buzz since his move to Ewood.

Like his previous boss, Alex Ferguson, Souness also commands an enormous amount of respect in the game.

But in terms of the their respective approaches to management, Cole believes that's where the similarities end.

Comparing his old boss Sir Alex Ferguson with his new one Graeme Souness, Cole said: "I think they're a bit like chalk and cheese.

"The boss here is very laid-back, maybe due to his heart operation perhaps, I don't know.

"But he's very mellow, he's well-spoken and doesn't really have a go at people whereas Alex Ferguson is probably tougher but everyone knows what he's all about.

"It was important for me to join a club which had ambition and the manager stressed that Blackburn do have ambition.

"There's no point buying me and saying that's the final piece in the jigsaw because it doesn't work like that.

"So I was impressed by the manager and when someone of his calibre wants to sign you, it's difficult to say no.

"It was the same thing when I signed for Newcastle. I thought to myself this is Kevin Keegan here and I'd love to play for him because he was such a great striker himself.

"So when I came here, I was thinking 'Wow!' this is Graeme Souness. I used to watch him as a kid and admire the way he put himself about.

"He has the determination to succeed and he wants to be a winner.

"And I've not changed my own approach to the game either since leaving Manchester United.

"I might lose a few more games playing for Blackburn but I still want to be a winner and that will never change."

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