adminA goal every 76 minutes: Departed forward continues impressive form after West Brom exit
West Brom saw their squad go through significant change over the summer, and among those to move on was striker Devante Cole.
West Brom went into the summer transfer window knowing they would need to back Ryan Mason, and they did just that.
For the most part, eyes were on those who joined. And rightly so, the likes of Aune Heggebo and Nat Phillips made for exciting additions, but there was intrigue over who could leave too. Tom Fellows and Torbjorn Heggem made notable exits, while the expected and amicable departure of Devante Cole came later.
The 30-year-old joined WBA on a free transfer from Barnsley, serving a role as backup striker. Minutes were hard to come by, and it was decided that a move away would be best for all.
Cole duly linked up with Port Vale with the termination of his contract at West Brom agreed. Since then, the striker has made quite the start at Vale Park.
Devante Cole showing what he can do after West Brom exit
It shouldn’t need to be made clear that there is an obvious quality difference between the Championship and League One.
However, after seriously limited opportunities with West Brom, Jamaican international Cole is reminding everyone what he can do with meaningful time on the pitch.
Cole has three goals in as many games for Port Vale, also providing one assist. He scored one and set up the other in a 3-2 debut defeat to Leyton Orient earlier this month.
That has been followed up by back-to-back wins by Vale though, with Cole netting in both. He scored against Exeter City and scored the opener in a 2-1 triumph over Mansfield Town at the weekend too.
Cole’s three goals in three games return works out as a goal every 76 minutes for Darren Moore’s men.
Devante Cole can be the lead man in a successful return to League One for Port Vale
It was Cole’s form in League One for Barnsley that earned him a move up to the Championship with West Brom. Now back in the third tier, he’s allaying any concerns that he might have lost his goalscoring touch with a fantastic start to life at Port Vale.
The Valiants went winless in their first seven with five defeats, but even in the loss to Leyton Orient, Cole showed the added attacking threat he brings to ex-WBA boss Moore’s side.
Of course, it would be both unreasonable and unrealistic to expect Cole to maintain such form in front of goal. But, her is displaying he can be the lead goalscoring threat for Vale in their bid to colsidate a place in League One.
Losing Lorent Tolaj to Plymouth Argyle made for a notable blow, but Cole has come in and taken his place with aplomb to date.
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