"I watched the game this morning and I was very upset with my performance from a defensive point of view," the set-piece specialist told au.fourfourtwo.com.

"I don't know if it was naivety or a lack of experience but I dived in at times when I know I shouldn't because I made mistakes there that I wouldn't make playing for Sydney Olympic."

The Mariners' winger Ahmad Elrich did get the better of Cole on a few occasions particularly in the first half, enabling the Socceroo and former Fulham man to whip in some dangerous crosses to the Coast's front two.

"I guess I should give a bit more respect to the players I'm playing against," added Cole.

"I tried to stamp some authority but with players strong and smart they are not going to let you do that.

"I've got a lot of learning to do. If you take that free-kick out of the game, then there are a lot of things I need to improve on. It's good to score and win games but I want to reach my potential and I've got a long way to go.

"I guess it's a lesson learnt," added Cole.

Clearly, the 24-year-old is not letting his rapid rise to fame go to his head after his first two highly impressive games in the A-League.

But his set-piece ability from both feet is attracting much attention. Cole's stunning free-kick that won the game for a 10-man Sydney against the Mariners is now on YouTube. And it's the talk of the A-League.

"It's weird," Cole said. "Because I've done it so many times, it's goes into automatic and I don't really think too much.

"I just have a look at the situation and sum it up. Just do it, I guess, and don't think about it too much.

"And because it hit the post it took me a second to realise it was in. But I was pretty happy I guess."

As for the back-flip celebration, it was Cole's nod to the Olympics. "I whipped out a bit of the gymnastics," he said with a smile.

And the travelling Cove rugged up in the corner of Bluetongue Stadium may have just found a new hero. The feeling is mutual.

"They were fantastic," said Cole. "I could hear them all night. I didn't even hear Central Coast singing.

"But Central Coast can be very proud of their crowd, it was a great atmosphere but our fans were outstanding."

The adulation was clear even at his old club Sydney Olympic on Sunday. Cole turned up to cheer on his former club in the NSW Finals (won 2-1 by Olympic over Manly).

"I don't mind. Everyone's been positive so far. It quite easy to deal with, I guess."

But Cole is quick to point out that he'll just be one of the boys when Sydney resume training today. "They get stuck into me like any other player in the team. If I'm not doing something properly, they'll let me know.

"They are very supportive though," he added of his teammates. "We're all there for the same thing.

"If we all perform, then we're heading in the right direction."