Allen hopes Newport signing Crole 'proves me wrong'

Malcolm Allen says James Crole deserves his chance at Newport County – but says the striker's mindset must be right if he is to thrive in the EFL.

Former Cardiff City youngster Crole joined League Two strugglers Newport from Cymru Premier side Penybont earlier this week.

Crole has 11 Penybont goals this season having netted 16 times in 2024-25.

But ex-Wales and Newcastle forward Allen, a Cymru Premier pundit, has questioned Crole's "attitude".

"I've seen Penybont win and he's scored goals and I've seen Penybont lose and he looked uninterested to compete and fight," Allen told Welsh language podcast Y Coridor Ansicrwydd.

"I have no doubt about his ability - the way he is in the box and how he loses defenders, I like. When he's on his day, he's the best forward in the league.

"He deserves the chance [at Newport] and I hope he proves me wrong with his attitude."

Fellow former Wales international Owain Tudur Jones says it is "brilliant" to see Newport giving another Cymru Player an opportunity in the EFL.

The Exiles have previously signed the likes of James Waite, Nathan Wood, Will Evans and Kai Whitmore from the Welsh top flight.

"We're in a situation where we are supporting the [Cymru Premier] league and you don't want to see the players leaving, you want a strong league," Jones told Y Coridor Ansicrwydd.

"But also, there are a few players that you think are a little too good and deserve a go [in better leagues].

"From a Newport perspective, it's great that they've turned out to be the club that is giving these opportunities. James Crole is a good player. He's a technical player and he's big and he deserves the chance."