Anthony Stokes (F free agent b.1988)

[tetsujin1979]

According to the previews of the game, Stokes was omitted from the squad because of a virus
From http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8730_3299600,00.html

while Anthony Stokes has not trained all week because of a virus.

[geysir]

As long as it wasn't the same virus that Shane Long had against Cyprus.

[tetsujin1979]

Stokes, Miller and Harte alldue to play for the reserves tonight VS Everton: http://www.safc.com/news/?page_id=14456

A virus kept the Irishman out of last weekend's Premier League game against Chelsea.

Also Billy Dennehy will be playing for Sunderland, against his brother Darren who plays for Everton

[Diarmo]

I don't know if this article has been posted before, but it talks a lot about Stokes transfer deal in January 2007. Turns out he went to Sunderland for the cash....

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/from-arsenal-unknown-to-keanes-golden-shot-anthony-stokes-has-world-at-his-feet-431342.html

From Arsenal unknown to Keane's golden shot, Anthony Stokes has world at his feet

An 18-year-old's scoring spree led to Sunderland pipping boyhood idols Celtic for his signature.

By Nick Harris
Tuesday, 9 January 2007

The honour of being the leading marksman in Scotand's top division since 1998 has been shared among only four players: the incomparable Henrik Larsson (five times), Mark Viduka, John Hartson and Kris Boyd, whose 32 league goals for Kilmarnock and Rangers last season came in at a ratio of 0.88 goals per game.

Anthony Stokes is still 18, but in 16 league games on loan at Falkirk from Arsenal before Christmas, he scored 14 SPL goals * at a ratio of 0.875 a game * and two more in two CIS Cup games. He remains the SPL's top scorer this season, and had he stayed he might have held on to the mantle.

Plenty of higher-profile forwards have struggled to hit such heights north of the border, let alone in their teens.

The spree that rocketed Stokes to stardom * and now Sunderland * had Falkirk's manager, John "Yogi" Hughes, struggling for superlatives.

"The best Christmas present I could have," he added, of the now forlorn hope that Stokes' loan spell would stretch in 2007.

Stokes scored his first senior goal on 19 September in the CIS Cup at Inverness, but it was what happened between 14 October and 7 November that has changed his life: one goal in the league against St Mirren, then two at Inverness, hat-tricks against Dundee United and Dunfermline (the first back-to-back hat-tricks in the SPL) and then a goal against Celtic in the CIS Cup quarter-finals. Falkirk won on penalties.

Stokes scored in consecutive games in late November (also getting sent off against Motherwell for diving), and then, in his last match, after four blanks, hit a third hat-trick, against Inverness on 30 December.

He is hugely promising, blessed with pace, versatility (he can play up front or in midfield) and clinical finishing with both feet. He can also showboat, for better or worse. Against St Mirren in October, Falkirk won a last-minute close-range free-kick with the score at 1-1. Everyone in the ground expected Stokes to blast it but he attempted an extraordinary chip, which went just past the top corner. "The guy is a maverick, that's just his style of playing," Hughes said. "If it had come off it would have grabbed all the headlines and that's the kind of thing he tries in training." Against Dunfermline, he scored his hat-trick with his "weaker" left foot. He also wound up the opposition by playing keepy-uppy during the match. Up to 10 times. Hughes, in a training exercise, clattered Stokes for his exuberance.

If there are other reservations, then they come in analysis of who Stokes has scored against. Apart from Celtic (in the CIS Cup), all his goals in Scotland came against the current bottom six.

So while prolific with Falkirk, it is premature to say that he comes with a guarantee at the highest level. Evidently Arsène Wenger, albeit with a rich crop of experienced forwards, does not see him as a Premiership regular in the near future. Why, otherwise, would he let him leave after three years of development?

For Roy Keane, the question is academic. "We've beaten off competition from a number of high-profile clubs for someone who is a good, young player who can hopefully help us in our push for promotion," he said yesterday. Sunderland are three points off the play-off places.

It is believed Stokes will earn a basic wage of £14,000-plus a week. Money is relevant because the evidence suggests it was that, more than any other factor, that dictated where Stokes went.

"Anthony didn't sleep the night after learning that Celtic had an offer accepted [last week]. We thought it was a done deal," the player's father and advisor, John, said on Sunday. "He loves Celtic and was prepared to accept less money to play for them. When he gets up in the morning he listens to Celtic songs and by the time he goes to bed at night he's watched Celtic videos." Yet there was only so much less money he was willing to accept. It is understood Celtic offered a deal worth " only" £8,000 a week. So Celtic lost out, as did Charlton, whom Stokes had decided to join (on £14,000 a week) before Keane, his hero, made a last-minute intervention.

Stokes joined Arsenal at 15 from Shelbourne but never started a game for the Gunners in any competition. Last summer, he trained with Sunderland, then still managed by Niall Quinn, but Quinn opted against a loan move. Instead, Arsenal's head of youth development, Liam Brady, sent the player to Falkirk and into the care of his friend Hughes.

In November, Stokes said: "I'm an Arsenal player so my main aspiration is to get into the first team." Keane and Sunderland will be hoping they reap the benefits of Stokes' various dreams * at Celtic, Arsenal and elsewhere * not coming to fruition.

[irishfan86]

I'd have gone for the cash too, that's quite a big wage difference there.

Who knows when an injury could happen?

It's not as if he decided to take more cash to sit on a bench somewhere, I really don't see the relevance of posting this right now.

Every time there's a hint of anything going wrong for Stokes there's an element here looking to have a go at him.

"He wasn't in the squad, he must have been drinking the night before."

Then we find out he has a virus.

Give it a break lads.

[OwlsFan]

The forgotton man Stokes scored twice in the last couple of minutes last night to rescue Sunderland from defeat by Northampton. Also nice to see that one of the goals was scored from a cross by Andy R.

[tetsujin1979]

Both of them were from Andy Reid set pieces, a free and a corner

[OwlsFan]

Even better :)

[newbie]

2nd one was a crackin header aswel.

[drummerboy]

Colin Larkin scored in this game also

[OwenGoal]

So what's the deal with this guy, then? We all had such high hopes. Is this Palace loan move a turning point or the last chance saloon. Can't help thinking he was the kid with the holes in his jeans Keane was referring to in his recent interview.

[Crosby87]

Forgot he was even alive for the last few months.

[aidz1]

Wasnt he also at sheffield united for a while?
i recall hearing that he moved. dont recall reports of him playing or scoring though.

[eirebhoy]

He played 12 games for Sheffield Utd but in midfield.

Came on after an hour for Palace last night in place of Scannell so again probably won't be playing in his preferred striker role for them.

Even when he played for Ireland in America he was playing as the support striker for Long. Why oh why don't teams just play him in the role he was succesful with for Falkirk?

[eirebhoy]

Stokes playing up front today with Kuqi and he's scored. Scannell on the bench.

[Jicked]

Apparently a quick pull back left the mercurial king of defenders* Sean St Ledger for dead before firing home with a great goal.


*As per one Preston fan.

[co. down green]

Palace boss Neil Warnock on Stokes:

"Sometimes players can lose their way but Anthony knows that everybody can't be wrong.

"He's looked in the mirror and he hasn't had many takers in terms of clubs coming in for him.

"It's great for us to be able to take him, at a realistic price as well, and he's shown what he can do."

[tetsujin1979]

Stokes happier with central striking role: http://www.southlondonpress.co.uk/tn/sport.cfm?id=8836&headline=Stokes%20happy%20with%20central%20role

[seanfhear]

Palace boss Neil Warnock on Stokes:

"Sometimes players can lose their way but Anthony knows that everybody can't be wrong.

"He's looked in the mirror and he hasn't had many takers in terms of clubs coming in for him.

"It's great for us to be able to take him, at a realistic price as well, and he's shown what he can do."
Has he signed permanently for Palace or was Warnock just talking about the loan arrangements.

[eirebhoy]

Stokes happier with central striking role: http://www.southlondonpress.co.uk/tn/sport.cfm?id=8836&headline=Stokes%20happy%20with%20central%20role
So 2 years since he left Falkirk and we can finally start judging his goalscoring ability outside of the SPL. Hopefully it's not 2 years wasted where he could have been improving his positioning and movement in his proper position.

[Razors left peg]

Hes only 20 so if he has got his attitude right he can still become the player we all hoped he would be

[Razors left peg]

Just signed for Hibs in Scotland under same manager he did so well with at Falkirk.Hopefully he can re ignite his career

[ifk101]

Just signed for Hibs in Scotland under same manager he did so well with at Falkirk.Hopefully he can re ignite his career

Good move for him. He needs to be playing football and it's reasonable to assume he'll be first choice at Hibs.

[eirebhoy]

At least he'll be playing as the main striker for Hughes.

[Manblue]

The only ppl who could possibly still rate this guy are himself and his father in his rubbish articles about how he should be playing

[eirebhoy]

I said a few times it's a pity he's technically superior to a lot of the players he played with because managers then tended to try and get him in the game more. When played deep, on the wing or as a 2nd striker I've rarely been impressed. He's constantly losing possession. When played as the main striker who's role is to beat the offside and score goals he has always impressed me.

[Crosby87]

I dont think he will ever be heard from again, destined to play the string out with Joe Lampara in Norways 3rd division........If this happens with James McCarthy I will be annoyed.
I have had many a drunken night here talking with Irish Carpenters and Plumbers in Local 1 who took great pains to convince me that the bedrocks of the 2014 team that was to challenge in Brazil were the coy Shane Supple in net, the tricky Tony Stokes and incomprable Liam Miller as an unstoppable tandem boistered by the sure to be healthy Terry Dixon as the new Irish Rover, all over the field. Now look. We are going to have to get Keane Given, and Duff anti ageing pills and they can be expensive.

[Razors left peg]

I said a few times it's a pity he's technically superior to a lot of the players he played with because managers then tended to try and get him in the game more. When played deep, on the wing or as a 2nd striker I've rarely been impressed. He's constantly losing possession. When played as the main striker who's role is to beat the offside and score goals he has always impressed me.

I totally agree with that.When he was at Falkirk he was allowed to play as an out and out striker and he looked outstanding but since then he has been played as a midfielder,winger and just behind the front man.He is still a kid so if he starts banging in the goals again up there and gets his confidence back he still has a great chance.Wouldnt write him off just yet.

[republicofwhite]

Apart from needing to play on his own up front(which I totally agree with, he has the talent, he clearly cant play anywhere else, needs a fresh start and to knuckle down) hopefully this brings him down to earth a bit and makes him more mature. Thats clearly what he needs to do. He's the proverbial spoilt brat, who is just money mad and incredibly immature. Just after Stokes joined Sunderland, a mate of mine was up outside Club 92(Don't ask me why) talking to the girl Stokes was scoring at the time, and Stokes came up saying he had to go to the banklink. She's said "Its grand, I have some money if you want, just get me back later". His retort?
"Eh, do you have a loan of 6 Grand? Don't think so"

[dr_peepee]

Jayzus... I don't think ATMs give out that kind of poke do they?? Thought it was capped at 750...

Anyhoo... I remember Strachan Questioning his ambition as a player when he rejected Celtic for a decision between a relegation battle with Charlton or Championship football with Sunderland... Seems he wasn't far wrong.

I don't think he's looked in "Good nick" physically for a while... Hope he turns it around but it smacks of another Sean Thornton to me!!

[Manblue]

I totally agree with that.When he was at Falkirk he was allowed to play as an out and out striker and he looked outstanding but since then he has been played as a midfielder,winger and just behind the front man.He is still a kid so if he starts banging in the goals again up there and gets his confidence back he still has a great chance.Wouldnt write him off just yet.

Thats his level alright i suppose,

[youngirish]

Jayzus... I don't think ATMs give out that kind of poke do they?? Thought it was capped at 750...

Anyhoo... I remember Strachan Questioning his ambition as a player when he rejected Celtic for a decision between a relegation battle with Charlton or Championship football with Sunderland... Seems he wasn't far wrong.

I don't think he's looked in "Good nick" physically for a while... Hope he turns it around but it smacks of another Sean Thornton to me!!

The Thornton comparison is very apt here except worryingly Thornton at least proved he had the ability to do well in the Premiership and subsequently in the Championship while Stokes has been found lacking in both.

He'll probably do well up in Scotland though so who knows a few years down the line he could step up a level again but I don't now ever see him being the top striker we all hoped for a few years ago.

[Razors left peg]

Thats his level alright i suppose,

It was a hell of alot of goals to get for an 18 year old in the SPL

[irishfan86]

It was a hell of alot of goals to get for an 18 year old in the SPL

ManBlue played at U-18s when he was 12, and with the U-11s when he was 4, leave him alone. :D

He says so in this video (3 min point on):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXJKkOaJW18

[tetsujin1979]

Stokes starts up front for Hibs away at Falkirk today. It's on ESPN if anyone wants to check out how he's playing

[eirebhoy]

It doesn't take a scout to see his goalscoring instincts already. Beat the offside line twice so far to receive long balls but just missed both chances. He's had 5 or 6 shots so far. Once he gets a goal he'll be on a run no doubt. Hughes seems to be the only manager that knows him well and that even includes Wenger who wanted him to play on the wing.

[Eirambler]

Decent debut from Stokes today. As a hibs fan I'm delighted to see so many Irish players turning up at the club all of a sudden, but Stokes is the only one with any real international hopes at senior level.

Looked tidy, but lacking a little match sharpness. Hopefully playing in an attack minded team with a manager that has gotten the best out of him in the past can revive his career.

[kennedmc]

It doesn't take a scout to see his goalscoring instincts already. Beat the offside line twice so far to receive long balls but just missed both chances. He's had 5 or 6 shots so far. Once he gets a goal he'll be on a run no doubt. Hughes seems to be the only manager that knows him well and that even includes Wenger who wanted him to play on the wing.

Wenger was interviewed by an Irish journalist in either the Sunday times or Sunday Indo around 4 years ago and was asked about Stokes. He said he is a player of very good technique but he sees him as a Paul scholes type midfielder hence why he wanted to play him there. Other managers also have played him as a wide midfielder

I think its only Stokes himself (and the greatJohn Hughes!) who fancies himself as a striker. I don't rate him upfront as an out and out striker - to me he doesn't have enough pace and isn't a good enough finisher.

Just finished reading Carraghers book and he played upfront until he was 16 and then moved back. If he hadn't of listened to the advice of people who know the game far better than he does, he'd probably be playing up front as a non league striker now.

It seems odd to me that Stokes is happy to ignore (a massive piece) of advice from a manager who is seen as a great in the modern game.

[Stuttgart88]

It's only one game I know, but I watched Sunderlanmd's first game of last season - a late win over Spurs I think - and Stokes looked lost upfront. He failed to read any through balls or flick ons and was completely disconnected from his strike partner (Jones?). You can have all the athleticism and talent in the world but if you haven't the footballing intelligence for your position then it's a big mountain to climb. That game put serious doubts in my mind about Stokes' ability as an outright forward (not to mention really careless missed passes against England U21s in Cork). Good player, yes. Good brain? Not so sure.

[tetsujin1979]

Stokes starting up front against Celtic. Irish spine in the Hibs team, Stack in goals, Cregg in centre midfield, Stokes up front.
McGeady on the left for Celtic, Flood and O'Dea on the bench

[backstothewall]

He's just got a goal. Hibs could be the right club for him. He did well in Scotland before and he will learn his trade at that club, and experience playing on abig stage in Ibrox and Parkhead

same applies to Stack, although he's a bit older. I think Stack can still become the regular cover for Given if he gets football

[tetsujin1979]

second goal on 73 for Stokes

[SkStu]

He's just got a goal. Hibs could be the right club for him. He did well in Scotland before and he will learn his trade at that club,

more to do with the manager than the club to be honest. Hughes got the best out of him before and it looks like he is going to do it again...

[Razors left peg]

Needs a run in a team as a striker, he hasnt had that since he was at Falkirk.If it happens and he gets his confidence back he could still develop into a very good player.

[dodgycanadian]

I dont care for his 2 goals against less-than worthy opposition. This kid has an attitude. Like Roy said, dont be surprised to see him playing non-league football in a couple years. Clearly in the game for all the wrong reasons...
I have seen him do the same when hes on the **** in Dublin as well.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/2645195/Hibernian-star-in-nightclub-brawl.html

[NeilMcD]

I dont care for his 2 goals against less-than worthy opposition. This kid has an attitude. Like Roy said, dont be surprised to see him playing non-league football in a couple years. Clearly in the game for all the wrong reasons...
I have seen him do the same when hes on the **** in Dublin as well.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/2645195/Hibernian-star-in-nightclub-brawl.html

Was Roy talking about himself as a manager.

[tetsujin1979]

I dont care for his 2 goals against less-than worthy opposition. This kid has an attitude. Like Roy said, dont be surprised to see him playing non-league football in a couple years. Clearly in the game for all the wrong reasons...
I have seen him do the same when hes on the **** in Dublin as well.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/2645195/Hibernian-star-in-nightclub-brawl.html

Saw that on saturday, looks like his mate started a fight, and he got in the middle of it

[paul_oshea]

Lads, in GAA and soccer clubs all over the country there is rivalry, and often if lads meet out on a night out they end up in fights. But when they are well known soccer players htey get grief and probably rightly so as they should be acting as role models, however they are generally of a lower intellect and therefore dont know any better.

having said all that, i met stokesie out paddys night in London, he is the biggest knob ever, especially given that he was at palace at the time or whatever and he isn't that big a name only to a few irish. I know people would say ah sure he was probably drunk, etc etc, but he didnt appear to be drunk at all. Loads of women were getting ****ed off with him as well.

[zackmorris]

Stokes just scored again against St. Johnstone, thats three in a week against them, so far...

[Diarmo]

I was in Edinburgh for a few months until recently, and I heard from a few Hibs fans there that there's a silent investor who tops up Stokes' Hibs wages to match his Sunderland ones until that contract reaches its end. Bizarre situation.