Port Vale’s forward options looking strong
OVF editor Rob Fielding hails the Anton Forrester signing and looks forward to a potentially prolific partnership with JJ Hooper.
Rob Fielding writes…
After a period of eleven signings in a fortnight, many from overseas, it is perhaps unusual that a Liverpool-born forward who has made just 35 senior appearances could just be Vale’s most important signing of the summer.
The youngster’s progress has been stalled by injury but back to full fitness, Vale will hope to snapped up a top-class striker…
Anton Forrester’s two goal debut against Newcastle Town on Saturday contained enough to encourage fans that the club may have a real prospect on their hands. The youngster’s progress has been stalled by injury but back to full fitness, Vale will hope to snapped up a top-class striker.
His rivals to start upfront include fellow newboys Rigina Cicilia and Carlos Saleiro. While Cicilia showed promise, he still has to adapt to the English game and veteran Seleiro looked short of match sharpness. It’s therefore very likely that Forrester has jumped ahead of the pair and rookie Dan Turner in the forward hierarchy.
Forrester’s partner could be JJ Hooper who continues to impress all at Vale Park with his attitude and steady improvement. OVF revealed Hooper’s summer fitness routine and it looked to pay dividends on Saturday as the striker looked sharp and contributed a fine goal of his own.
The partnership of Hooper and Forrester may be given some more friendly games to develop and Vale will be hoping it will upset a few more fancied teams during the season proper. It’s certainly true that both strikers look to have plenty of goals in them.
So, with Hooper and Forrester paired upfront, it allows time for the continental duo of Cicilia and Saleiro to adapt (while offered cover from the bench) and may even allow the Vale the luxury of allowing promising youngster Dan Turner to go on loan and continue his development.
After a frantic fortnight, Vale’s forward options are flourishing and credit is due to manager Bruno Ribeiro and owner Norman Smurthwaite on their breathtakingly speedy squad strengthening.
It’s great to see some forward thinking at Vale Park.