FEW signings, if any, can transform the fortunes of a football club overnight.

But in Andy 'goal-king' Cole I firmly believe Graeme Souness has signed a player capable of doing just that.

For all Rovers' neat approach play this season, they've lacked the killer instinct which separates the top sides from the rest.

But now Cole has swooped into Ewood amidst a blaze of publicity, I'm convinced he possesses the rapier-like qualities required to profit from Damien Duff and Keith Gillespie's silver service over the next couple of years.

Of course there will always be sceptics who will claim any half decent striker would have bagged the amount of goals he has playing in an all-conquering Manchester United side which has swept all before them over the last seven years.

But Cole is undoubtedly a master of his art, as his goals-per-game record at Newcastle testifies, and Alan Shearer apart, no-one has been more prolific than him since the Premiership began.

Blessed with natural speed and agility, his all-round game has come on in leaps and bounds during his time at Old Trafford, so much so that he's far more than just an accomplished goalscorer these days.

Exceptional with his back to goal, he also combines explosive pace with intelligent movement and his installation into the Rovers attack will give the whole team a new dimension over night.

For so long, Matt Jansen has had to shoulder the burden of expectation up front on his own.

But now no-one stands to profit more from Cole's arrival than him because, while opposition defenders are pre-occupied with keeping the England man quiet, that will allow Jansen to exploit the extra space that creates in the final third.

On paper at least, it looks like a marriage made in heaven and Sheffield Wednesday must be quaking in their boots ahead of next week's Worthington Cup semi-final.

So what can we expect over the second half of the season?

This time last week, I confidently predicted a charge for Europe following the 2-0 win at Charlton only to then see two disastrous home defeats at the hands of Sunderland and Derby.

However, thanks to Cole's arrival, I still think that's a realistic possibility providing he settles in quickly.

With a possible World Cup place up for grabs, I know the £7.5 million club record signing is desperate to prove himself over the second half of the season.

But if Rovers are to establish themselves as a top eight force then several other issues must also be addressed.

The recruitment of a left-sided defender must now be made a top priority because Rovers have struggled to cope in the absence of Stig Bjornebye this term.

And what of David Dunn?

Right at the very start of the season, Souness outlined his preference for a 4-4-2 formation and, with everyone fit, it would appear his favoured four in midfield are currently Tugay, Garry Flitcroft, Keith Gillespie and Damien Duff.

However, Dunn's goal input from midfield is impossible to ignore and I believe a place must be found for him somewhere in the side.

If not, then I fear the England Under 21 skipper may soon become disillusioned, especially with the World Cup looming large on the horizon.

At the end of the day, though, it's not a bad dilemma to have and I'm sure Souness will rotate personnel accordingly, depending on the opposition.

So what would constitute success between now and May?

The priority, as it always has been, is first and foremost Premiership survival.

But an appearance in the Worthington Cup final would also be a wonderful bonus in our first season back.

And now Cole's on board, who's to say there won't be a run in the FA Cup to look forward to as well during the Spring.

But if Saturday's events proved one thing, it at least allayed fears that Rovers no longer possess the necessary ambition to mix it with the big boys.

Following the death of Jack Walker, supporters, inevitably, feared the days of making club record signings had gone.

Thankfully, however, Uncle Jack's legacy is still firmly alive and kicking.