I think it was also to win over some of the squad as well, didn't Stevie commit his future to the club a day or 2 after the signing?
It looked a big gamble at the time though when you stopped looking at Cole's reputation and looked at what he'd actually produced over the previous couple of years, by my recollection most fans were delighted with the signing, albeit that upbeat mood didn't last for long.
Let's face it, members of the playing staff should not be influencing who the club buys, that has never been, and never will be, their job.
Some fans may have been excited by Joe joining, but then you have to forgive that opinion. He had been a useful player, we'd got him at no transfer fee - we weren't aware at the time what we were going to be paying him. We'd just lost a manager many felt a connection with, and the on-going battle with the ownership continued.
Whilst some called the Cole signing out for what it's transpired to be, he was a house hold name arriving on a free transfer. I can forgive and sympathise with those who may have been excited by him arriving. But ultimately the manager should identify, target and recruit the players he wants. Purslow should have kept his beak out.