Anthony Stokes (F free agent b.1988)

[shaneker]

I'd vote for Kerr. Out of his depth at senior level but well proven at under-age and will obviously know Stan, might aid transition fron one team to another (I don't like seeing players yo-yoing between senior side and youth teams, does nothing for players or teams momentum, case in point Stokes and O'Dea).

[pete]

From years of observing father and son.... IMO Anthony is a chip off the old block and therein is the answer to his 'attitude' problem.... anyone remember Stokes snrs comments about how wenger was playing the boy out of position etc.... IMO Wenger getting £2m for him was one of the smartest deals ever

Stokes Senior was so correct on that one. What position does Stokes play for Sunderland now...

[Calcio Jack]

Stokes Senior was so correct on that one. What position does Stokes play for Sunderland now...

My point was about attitude.... IMO all Stokes Snr did was 'moan' about how Wenger was playing his son out of position, instead of keeping quiet on the basis that Wenger is a top class manager and knows a bit more about the game than he does.That same 'attitude' seems to have unsurprisingly rubbed off on Anthony...having an inflated attitude only hastened Wengers decision to get rid of Anthony and he got £2m for him which was excellent businness.

Stokes has lots of talent, the big question is does he have the right attitude/work ethic.... I wonder was he looking on last night and maybe he reflected on the fact that Shane Long one of his peers has jumped ahead of him in the race to be our 3rd striker.... I hope he gets the guidance from somewhere to make sure he realises his undoubted talent...

[kingeric]

well if you look at the facts, Stokes was the second highest goal scorer at all ages in his first year in Arsenal, second to thierry henry that is. He played as a forward and scored 17 goals in 19 matches.

In his second season he began to play on the wings and didn't do well.

At Falkirk he was played as an out and out striker with Alan Gow a creative striker behind him and Russel Latipy in midfield, so it really suited him- which is why i think he done so well. What was it 14 goals in 18 games or something to that effect?

So maybe Stokes senior had a point?

I still think he can make it, but only as a striker. I don't see how he fits into the Sunderland team though, he needs better service than Murphy or any of the Midfield can provide.

[Calcio Jack]

well if you look at the facts, Stokes was the second highest goal scorer at all ages in his first year in Arsenal, second to thierry henry that is. He played as a forward and scored 17 goals in 19 matches.

In his second season he began to play on the wings and didn't do well.

At Falkirk he was played as an out and out striker with Alan Gow a creative striker behind him and Russel Latipy in midfield, so it really suited him- which is why i think he done so well. What was it 14 goals in 18 games or something to that effect?

So maybe Stokes senior had a point?

I still think he can make it, but only as a striker. I don't see how he fits into the Sunderland team though, he needs better service than Murphy or any of the Midfield can provide.

Indeed he may have a point.... it's the 'attitude' in the manner he makes statements that I'd have a problem with... IMO he's bred into his son an unhealthy attitude from an early age and anyone who has observred both of them up close would know what I mean... very talented kid no doubt about that... but IMO he suffers from a huge amount of arrogance...it's one thing to have strong self belief, it's a different matter if you allow that to turn into arrogance... as I say hopefully somelike Keane will be able to mentor and shape him into a top class player who knows how to 'carry' himself properly.

[kingeric]

well looks like the matters resolved now anyway..

Keane: 'Stokes row resolved'



Anthony Stokes



Roy Keane says that the argument mid-week between Ireland U-21 boss and Sunderland Football Club has been resolved.
Don Givens was left fuming when Sunderland striker Anthony Stokes failed to show for the U-21 game against Germany on Wednesday.


He rang the 19-year-old striker who told him he thought Roy Keane had sorted the situation out and that he was unavailable because of a groin strain.

Givens was angry because he had no idea the player would not be linking up and the realisation of Stokes' absence came too late for him to call in a replacement.

But today Keane said the situation had been resolved.

He said: "I've spoken to Don Givens and cleared the situation up.

"Anthony had a bit of groin strain and there was a bit of confusion.

"Anthony was expecting us to get in touch with the U-21s to explain the situation.

"We were expecting Anthony to let them know anyway.

"We like to do these things right – for example Paul McShane suffered a head injury against Wigan which meant he could not go away with the senior Irish team and we were quick to let them know, as well as sending them the doctor's report.

"It was unfortunate what happened with Anthony but we've spoken to Don Givens now and the situation has been resolved.

"It won't happen again because, as I say, we like to do things the right way at this club."







...Would love to have heard Roy's call to Don Givens ;)

[paul_oshea]

Remind us again which giants of world football this man has managed? Some Dub bar-stooler with a chip . . .

I didnt want to bring this up, but years ago when he was over in North London, he would be in certain pubs going on and on about the same thing, and it was basically giving out and bitching, saying if he doesnt get first team football im going to get him out of here etc etc, that was at 17!!!!:8

Funnily enough it was in one of the pubs Niall quinn would always frequent after a match many moons ago!

[paul_oshea]

I must be psychic! Seriously though, compare this guy to the likes of Shane Long. Long's Ma has moved to Reading to help him settle and you never hear boo from any of his family. I was so pleased for that young lad last night. The lads at Reading FC think the world of him. Amazing how much of a difference the right attitude can make.

so did stokes family. But there is one glaring difference. I hope I dont need to point it out :p

[shanman2]

I didnt want to bring this up, but years ago when he was over in North London, he would be in certain pubs going on and on about the same thing, and it was basically giving out and bitching, saying if he doesnt get first team football im going to get him out of here etc etc, that was at 17!!!!:8

Funnily enough it was in one of the pubs Niall quinn would always frequent after a match many moons ago!

Remember the column he used to do in the star, he had mentioned the word I a record 27 times in one column, good going or what.:D:D

[DmanDmythDledge]

well looks like the matters resolved now anyway..

Keane: 'Stokes row resolved'



Anthony Stokes



Roy Keane says that the argument mid-week between Ireland U-21 boss and Sunderland Football Club has been resolved.
Don Givens was left fuming when Sunderland striker Anthony Stokes failed to show for the U-21 game against Germany on Wednesday.


He rang the 19-year-old striker who told him he thought Roy Keane had sorted the situation out and that he was unavailable because of a groin strain.

Givens was angry because he had no idea the player would not be linking up and the realisation of Stokes' absence came too late for him to call in a replacement.

But today Keane said the situation had been resolved.

He said: "I've spoken to Don Givens and cleared the situation up.

"Anthony had a bit of groin strain and there was a bit of confusion.

"Anthony was expecting us to get in touch with the U-21s to explain the situation.

"We were expecting Anthony to let them know anyway.

"We like to do these things right – for example Paul McShane suffered a head injury against Wigan which meant he could not go away with the senior Irish team and we were quick to let them know, as well as sending them the doctor's report.

"It was unfortunate what happened with Anthony but we've spoken to Don Givens now and the situation has been resolved.

"It won't happen again because, as I say, we like to do things the right way at this club."







...Would love to have heard Roy's call to Don Givens ;)
All seems a bit fishy to me. What are the odds Stokes will be in Sunderland's squad at the weekend (if he hasn't been dropped)...

Also he hasn't been included in the next U-21 squad.

[eirebhoy]

He said in his interview with Mento's fanzine last year that he'd still love to play for Celtic. His da didn't like the Celtic offer at the time. I still really think it's a pity he didn't join Celtic as he'd most likely be the star striker atm and progressing as a player.

[eirebhoy]

Givens:

“I’m sure everybody is aware is what happened with Anthony Stokes and the recent friendly.

“I’ve had a conversation with Roy Keane this morning on the telephone in which he apologised for the club’s part in it but he was under the impression that Anthony was going to report to us with a slight groin problem so that our medical people could assess the situation so that’s all cleared up between Roy Keane and myself.

“But obviously I was very disappointed with Anthony’s lack of communication and certainly because he didn’t turn up and deprived another lad of getting into the squad.

“If he had phoned me after the (Sunderland) game on Saturday to tell me he had a groin problem that could have very quickly been sorted out.

“So, in view of the fact that Roy was expecting him to turn up for us and he didn’t, he hasn’t made this squad.”


Who do we believe? I'd have to believe Keane in this case.

[Paddy Garcia]

I don't think Keane would be arsed to lie.

[geysir]

We don't have to believe either of them.

But what is evident is that all the u21's are under clear instructions to contact Givens personally should there be some problem.
Givens needs to know when to be discreet.

[onceahoop]

so did stokes family. But there is one glaring difference. I hope I dont need to point it out :p

Stokes family were moved over by Arsenal and put in charge of a guest house to look after young Arsenal players (or so I'm told). This was because under UEFA rules Stokes, because of his age, had to be living with his family while he was registered with Arsenal. BTW a schoolboy coach at Shelbourne told me that when he was there Stokes was a little tow rag. He certainly seems to have a bit of an attitude. Shame, because he obviously has talent.

[livehead1]

i believe Keane, as simple as that

[paul_oshea]

This was because under UEFA rules Stokes, because of his age, had to be living with his family while he was registered with Arsenal. BTW a schoolboy coach at Shelbourne told me that when he was there Stokes was a little tow rag. He certainly seems to have a bit of an attitude. Shame, because he obviously has talent.

it was the same with taht tracey fella as well and another lad as well that i cant think of from kerry i think? (kelly? ), though i think he( tracey) was living with his sister as she was playing for the arsenal ladies.


geysir, spot on again.

Givens needs to learn when to keep schtump. what does he think he gains by informing the public everytime like this?! Having said that it helps us formulate our opinions on stokes :D

I think it could be a case of father living through son here, by all accounts. BUt how exactly do you fire your dad? and mores the point how does a young fella know whats to do?

[tetsujin1979]

it was the same with taht tracey fella as well and another lad as well that i cant think of from kerry i think? (kelly? ), though i think he( tracey) was living with his sister as she was playing for the arsenal ladies.
That's Shane Tracey from Limerick, his sister Yvonne plays for the Arsenal ladies, and Ireland.
He was released in the summer, think I heard he was with Galway.

[paul_oshea]

ya i know who shane tracey is, its the kelly fella im not sure about.

[geysir]

If anyone felt they had to believe Keane over Givens or vice versa.
The IT covers it a bit more thoroughly with the Keane quotes

"It's a mix-up in communication," said the Sunderland manager yesterday. "I've spoken to Don and he is fine about it, it won't happen again. He (Stokes) had a problem with his groin and I thought he would go over there, report in and see the medical staff. He thought he hadn't to do that and didn't get in touch with anyone."

Keane, however, was subsequently quoted in the Sunderland Echo as providing the paper with a fractionally different take on events. "Anthony was expecting us to get in touch with the under-21s to explain the situation," he is reported as saying.
"We were expecting Anthony to let them know anyway."

[michaelguineys]

ya i know who shane tracey is, its the kelly fella im not sure about.

That's Sean Kelly, he is playin for us now

[zenokelly]

In the Indo today:

Stokes to boycott Givens

Anthony Stokes is unlikely to play for the Irish U-21s again while Don Givens is in charge, the Sunday Independent has learned.


Stokes' failed to report for the U-21s before they flew out to Germany last week and was subsequently left out of a squad for the U-21 European Championship qualifier in Cork next month. While the FAI insist that Stokes remains in Givens' plans and must fight for his place, sources close to the player have indicated he is unlikely to play for Givens again.

Stokes' failure to show up last week angered Givens, even if Roy Keane clarified the situation later in the week.

"I've had a conversation with Roy Keane on the telephone and he apologised for the club's part in it but he was under the impression that Anthony was going to report to us with a slight groin problem so that our medical people could assess the situation," Givens said on Friday.

"Obviously I was very disappointed with Anthony's lack of communication. If he had phoned me after the Sunderland game on Saturday to tell me he had a groin problem that could have very quickly been sorted out."

The bad feeling between Stokes and Givens is alleged to have begun during an U-21 tournament in Madeira last year when Givens felt the player was displaying a bad attitude. It is understood Stokes believes he is acquiring an unfair media reputation after a couple of high-profile incidents that have been blown out of proportion.

And despite being substituted at half-time in the game against Wigan, it is not believed Stokes was one of the players Keane had in mind when he said after that 3-0 defeat that "there was a fine line between stupidity and loyalty."

Despite rumours, it is unlikely Stokes will go out on loan before the transfer window closes this week.



Boycotting the U21's is not going to improve his media reputation anyway.

[bellavistaman]

No id keep kerr as far away as possible dont like him at all. Treated stephen ireland like ****. Would love to see EL/ex EL manager put in charge, would bhe great to see FAI show they regard the EL hihly, maybe fenlon? I like him, Dolan, very good with youths, and spotting them.

[tricky_colour]

In the Indo today:

Boycotting the U21's is not going to improve his media reputation anyway.


Don't worry, I am sure he will grow out of it :D

[macdermesser]

No id keep kerr as far away as possible dont like him at all. Treated stephen ireland like ****. Would love to see EL/ex EL manager put in charge, would bhe great to see FAI show they regard the EL hihly, maybe fenlon? I like him, Dolan, very good with youths, and spotting them.

eh???

[John83]

eh???
I've heard a number of former youth internationals talk about Kerr who had nothing nice to say about him at all.

[bellavistaman]

eh???

What woulld you like to me to answer, or is it a eh at my ****e typing:D

[Billsthoughts]

I've heard a number of former youth internationals talk about Kerr who had nothing nice to say about him at all.

he did win a couple of unprecedented trophies tho?

[geysir]

The key word is "former".

[NeilMcD]

Lads Kerrs record and underage is top class. So what a few did not like him. I am sure there are a few who did not like Ferguson or did not like Clough of Shankly or Capello. You cant go life with everybody liking you. Kerr was top class with the underage set up here.

[eirebhoy]

Did Stokes do much against Liverpool? What role did he play?

[tetsujin1979]

Did Stokes do much against Liverpool? What role did he play?
I thought Liverpool was his best game I've seen him play for Sunderland to date. He came on for Richardson so was coming off the left. He had Sunderland's best chance to score in the first half, when he rolled the ball underneath Reina, but the shot was weak and was cleared before it reached the line. In the second half, he had 2 shots from distance that he made from nothing that went close. The second in particular was impressive, he had 2 Liverpool players around him, and his back to goal and he still managed to make the space for the shot

[OwlsFan]

Nice goal on Saturday. With a bit of luck he can kick on although I suspect a few strikers may be off loaded in the January window by Sunderland. Here's hoping the goal saved that indignity.

[shakermaker1982]

I read this in the paper this morning at work and thought it was interesting. It's from Louise Taylor @ the guardian. I really hope Stokes knuckles down now and goes on to great things.


When Roy Keane was a young midfielder at Nottingham Forest Brian Clough frequently had cause to caution him about the perils of spending too much time in a "nite-spot" called the Black Orchid.
These days Keane is more interested in another nightclub or rather in how best to prevent his Sunderland players lingering over long in the Glass Spider. Billed as "one of the hottest late bars in town" and boasting "drink prices to make your jaw drop", it has apparently proved a particular magnet for Anthony Stokes.


Article continues

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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Within an hour of the 19-year-old's last-minute winner consigning Paul Jewell to an undeserved defeat in his first game in charge of Derby County, Keane issued the gifted yet erratic Stokes with a thinly veiled warning.
"Stokes could be a top, top player in four or five years or he could be playing non-League," said Sunderland's manager. "He'll go one way or the other, I'm sure. The obvious pitfall for him is the Glass Spider. He's got to be careful, he's got to work extremely hard and he's got to listen to the staff here. Stokes has got potential but it's about producing and maintaining it. It's important that his family look after him. As his manager, I've got a role to play but you can't follow the modern player 24 hours a day."

The Dublin born, former Arsenal trainee is, like the whole team, a work in progress and Keane, who again introduced him as a second-half substitute, explained: "You never know what you are going to get from Stokes; whether that's a good or a bad thing I don't know. He does things in training a lot of players can't do but unfortunately a lot of players are brilliant in training but don't do it in matches. Today he tried to take a shot from 45 yards out and I'm scratching my head and thinking 'bloody hell' but then he popped up with the winner."

Hooked in at the second attempt after Stephen Bywater had made a double save from Kenwyne Jones then Stokes's initial effort, that goal, the scorer's first in the Premier League, not only lifted Sunderland out of the relegation zone but eased the pressure which had been building on Keane in the wake of the previous weekend's 7-1 thrashing at Everton. Tension had been manifested earlier in the technical area in some unusually agitated gesticulations from the Irishman, who had dropped his £9m goalkeeper, Craig Gordon.

Sunderland have been unlucky to lose on several occasions this season but their good fortune against a determined Derby must have had Jewell wondering if curtailing an extended holiday in Dubai in order to succeed Billy Davies at Pride Park was the brightest thing he has done.

"It was not a great game on a cold day, not a lot of football was played," he reflected, his golden suntan seeming somehow out of place in the December Wearside chill.

After one Premiership win this season - at home to Newcastle - and having failed to score a single away League goal, Derby's self-esteem is not high and Jewell admitted: "I've taken over a group who've got used to losing and I've got to change that mentality."

Darren Moore, who marked the awkward Jones impressively, feels that Derby's new manager is already making an impact. "Paul Jewell instils belief in you," said the big central defender. "His strength is self-belief, he's got an inner belief. He believes he's good enough to compete against all the other mangers at this level and he's instilling a win- ning spirit."

Meanwhile Stokes - hitherto notorious for being dropped by Keane after missing the team bus en route to a game at Barnsley last season - says he is imbued with a newly professional attitude and pledged to celebrate his goal with "a quiet night in".

If there is much more of this, the Glass Spider could be contemplating a worrying drop in revenue.

[OwlsFan]

Disappointing that Stokes has a reputation for the good life rather than good football. Hopefully, he'll concentrate on the latter with there being few distractions hopefully in Sunderland.

[paul_oshea]

that line from keane is class in fairness.

the lad is only young, i wonder when ye read in the papers "xxxx out on the tiles" yet they all go home by 1 or so, and they prolly only go out 2 nights a week. Sure werent we all doing that for 3 or 4 nights a week at that age. papers making a big deal out of nothing most of the time.

[The Legend]

since Keane said that, that particular nightclub announced that stokes is banned from there for the rest of the season

[tetsujin1979]

since Keane said that, that particular nightclub announced that stokes is banned from there for the rest of the season
Slightly off topic, when Gazza signed for Everton, the owners of Cream banned him from the club too. The owners were season ticket holders at Goodison Park.

[shaneker]

since Keane said that, that particular nightclub announced that stokes is banned from there for the rest of the season

I'll feel like an idiot if this is a stupid question but are you serious or joking?

If you're serious, fantastic, one less distraction in the lads life. I've been massively disappointed by Stokes since he moved to Sunderland after being more excited by him than by any young player when he was with Falkirk. Hopefully his goal on Saturday will do him the world of good.

[Stuttgart88]

It's true.

Complementary champagne and access to VIP area at the end of the season.

[eekers]

It's true.

Complementary champagne and access to VIP area at the end of the season.

nice way to celebrate relegation :p

[Drumcondra 69er]

It's true.

Complementary champagne and access to VIP area at the end of the season.

It's true alright, reported in the papers! Stokes probably isn't too happy, surely he'll find another nightclub? Wonder how Keane would react if Stokes was to emulate him and spend the odd night in the cells? :D

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=499884&in_page_id=1779

[NeilMcD]

It's true alright, reported in the papers! Stokes probably isn't too happy, surely he'll find another nightclub? Wonder how Keane would react if Stokes was to emulate him and spend the odd night in the cells? :D

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=499884&in_page_id=1779

Well I am sure if it was at the end of the season and they were celebrating winning the league and he was stitched up by the sister of a guitar player with a legendary band. I am sure he would not have a problem.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Well I am sure if it was at the end of the season and they were celebrating winning the league and he was stitched up by the sister of a guitar player with a legendary band. I am sure he would not have a problem.

Never his fault is it? Didn't it happen on more then one occasion in any case?

[NeilMcD]

Just telling you the facts of that case as he was cleared of it and he did nothing wrong in that incident.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Just telling you the facts of that case as he was cleared of it and he did nothing wrong in that incident.

Fair enough but he was arrested on at least 2 other occasions when he was younger himself. People tend to forget how unprofessional he was when he was Stokes age. Stokes has been an angel so far compared to him at that age is all I'm saying. I think he's right to be coming down hard on him btw, only making a point.

[RogerMilla]

i bet he looks at scott macdonald at celtic now and thinks that could have been him.

[Ireland4ever]

Fair enough but he was arrested on at least 2 other occasions when he was younger himself. People tend to forget how unprofessional he was when he was Stokes age. Stokes has been an angel so far compared to him at that age is all I'm saying. I think he's right to be coming down hard on him btw, only making a point.

Whats your point? So Keane should go easy on players beacuse what he got up to when he was younger? Im sure fergie gave him an earful at the time.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Whats your point? So Keane should go easy on players beacuse what he got up to when he was younger? Im sure fergie gave him an earful at the time.

If that was my point why would I have said 'I think he's right to be coming down hard on him btw, only making a point.' in my previous post?

Simply pointing out the irony and thinking it'd be funny to see how Keane would react if a player behaved like he did in his early career.

Some people are very defensive when it comes to matters realting to RK obviously, it was a light hearted comment hence the smiley at the end of the original post. :rolleyes:

[citizenerased]

yeah I4E , chill out!!!!