Pope scored 3 times in 13 games for his boyhood club after leaving the Millers on loan under a cloud which involved a spat with supporters and poor personal form.
Having been recalled for the draw at Cheltenham last weekend the forward spoke this week about how he was currently feeling.
"I just want to feel wanted and appreciated," Pope told the Advertiser. " I feel there have been times I haven't been appreciated by Rotherham, not just the fans but by others as well, and I felt the move out to get a bit of confidence back helped.
"The fans at Vale were fully behind me as well as the players and the management and it's nice to get a smile back on my face. I've come back here, I haven't dropped my head and I've just carried on where I left off there and to do the best I can.
"We get paid to do a job and the least you can do is give 100 per cent. I'm not going to stand there and drop my head and say, stuff this I'm not bothering. I'm always going to give my all and will work for the cause."
Pope explains: "I've not done as well as I would have liked but sometimes it's horses for courses, so to speak. I came to Rotherham and didn't really like the trip or the going or the course. Everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong. I haven't really scored many goals and I haven't contributed much.
"Last season I set up quite a few goals without ever really setting the world alight but at the same time I don't really think like we played to my strengths. I always want to do my best, whether I'm happy or unhappy. I'll always run round. Sometimes you put your chances away and sometimes you don't but I don't think anybody will ever question my commitment.
"I've always given my all wherever I've been and that's what I'll always do."