"Darren Moore has jumped all over him" - Exclusive: Sky pundit reacts to West Brom attacker exit | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has praised the signing of Devante Cole at Port Vale, following his departure from West Bromwich Albion.

With the summer transfer window now shut, there is time for supporters and neutrals to ruminate on clubs’ business, and Port Vale are one side who will be satisfied with their late window action.

The Valiants gained automatic promotion back to League One last season, with former Sheffield Wednesday and West Bromwich Albion boss Darren Moore at the helm at Vale Park.

Port Vale have started the season quite poorly, though, with just two points collected from their opening six matches of the campaign. They are one of just three sides in League One, alongside Wycombe Wanderers and Peterborough United, to remain winless, and yet remain the only team to have avoided defeat against Cardiff City.

After a busy summer transfer window, Vale then managed to finish their window with a flourish, following the sale of key striker Lorent Tolaj to Plymouth Argyle.

Tolaj will be a difficult man to replace but Vale have brought in the likes of Ben Waine and Mo Faal on loan, as well as Dajaune Brown, and their final signing of the summer will hope to be their major difference maker, too.

After the arrival of George Hall for an undisclosed fee from Birmingham City, Port Vale also confirmed the signing of Devante Cole, following his departure from West Brom.

Devante Cole could be key for Darren Moore and Port Vale

After a couple of impressive seasons for Barnsley, Devante Cole earned a move to the Championship last summer, joining the Baggies on a free transfer.

However, it was a deal that really did not work out and the 30-year-old, son of Andy, failed to score in 16 matches across all competitions for Albion last season.

Having now dropped back down to the third-tier, though, there will be hope he can reignite his career and thus propel Vale away from danger, and it is a deal that EFL pundit Lee Hendrie believes is a good one for all concerned.

Speaking exclusively to FLW, Hendrie said: “I think that’s one that didn’t really work for West Brom, and that’s why they’ve cut their ties with him.

“I think that Darren Moore has jumped all over him. He has seen the potential, which Mooro always seems to do. He seems to get the best out of players that probably haven’t had that sparkle at a previous club.

“That’s why Mooro has jumped on him and thinks he can get the best out of him.

“I think for both parties that this is a really good move.”

Devante Cole could be the spark for Port Vale

Darren Moore’s style of football tends to often be quite rudimentary, and that means Vale will likely be quite reactive throughout this season, with strikers relying on scraps.

It also means that the striker in a Moore team needs to be physical and robust to compete in the air and be able to hold the ball up to bring others into the game.

Cole’s best seasons in the EFL came at Oakwell a few years ago when the Tykes challenged for promotion under the management of Michael Duff, who plays a similar way.

Moore, who defeated Duff in the 2022/23 League One play-off final as Sheffield Wednesday boss, will believe he can create the structure and system for Cole to thrive, as he has done before.