Port Vale should capitalise on Charlton Athletic decision to help lure best out of Nathan Smith: View | OneFootball

Port Vale need urgent defensive reinforcements if they are to enjoy League Two success next season, with the club requiring a calm presence to bring the best out of stalwart Nathan Smith.

Smith is entering his ninth league campaign with the Burslem club but has found himself under fire from fans for the last two seasons with some inconsistent displays as Vale battled - ultimately unsuccessfully - against relegation to the fourth tier.

However, Smith is a proven performer in League Two and produced his better displays when partnered alongside a tall commanding presence in the backline.

Legge and Hall help make Smith a success

In the 2020-21 League Two season Smith amassed 44 league games as Vale looked good for promotion before their season was ultimately curtailed by COVID. Alongside him was the experienced and vocal Leon Legge, who at 6ft 4inches would dominate attackers and free up the responsibility on Smith.

Smith, who at 5ft 11 inches is small for a modern-day centre-back, also flourished the following season when Vale replaced Legge with Connor Hall. Hall is also 6ft 4inches and was superb as Vale rose up League Two, with their season culminating in a play-off final win against Mansfield at Wembley.

Smith looked out-of-sorts for the most part last season as Vale's defence capitulated against tall attackers, looking susceptible at set-pieces.

Despite bringing in Alex Iacovitti, also 6ft 4inches, from Ross County, the former Nottingham Forest man didn't really possess the experience needed to help Smith. Neither did Jesse Debrah, who had only played non-league football before joining Port Vale last year.

Valiants need experience

If Vale boss Darren Moore is looking for an experienced and physical presence to help Smith, he could do worse than turn to Jamaican international Michael Hector.

Charlton Athletic announced earlier this month that Hector, who amassed 51 games for the club across two seasons in south London, would not be offered a new deal, leaving him free to talk to potential suitors.

Hector will no doubt have many admirers, including many in League One, but if Port Vale are serious about an instant return to League One then they need to be making offers to out-of-contract proven performers, and not pinning their hopes on unproven loan players who haven't played much senior football.

That was evident last season when Kofi Balmer joined from Crystal Palace on loan but looked out of his depth having made no appearances in English football before the move, and Kacper Łopata replaced him January having only ever played 13 League One games.

Hector, who also stands at 6ft 4inches, has a total of 427 career appearances with Reading, Aberdeen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Hull City and Fulham all appearing on a varied CV which has included playing in all four divisions.

He is known as a strong and vocal character and Port Vale could appeal if there is scope to take on a leadership role at the club.

Manager Darren Moore recently told a supporters' meeting that he intended to replace Smith as club captain, saying: "I am going to change the club captain, yes. We’ll probably have an on-pitch captain and an off-the field captain. Yes, we will be doing that."

Hector, who turns 32 in the summer and who goes by the name Big_Hec35 on X, formerly Twitter, is a popular character, helping his clubs off the field as well as on it. Although he is obviously ambitious, the promise of a leadership role and a fresh start at an ambitious club would surely appeal.

Whether the captain's role could be filled by a new addition to the Port Vale squad remains to be seen, but by bringing in someone like Michael Hector, both fans and fellow players would surely react well to a top professional and physically commanding player.