Anthony Stokes (F free agent b.1988)

[tetsujin1979]

missed a penalty in the first half VS Aberdeen, just rifled in Celtic's third before being substituted for Daryl Murphy

[geysir]

Assist from Stokes for the first goal to Hooper.
Favour returned by Hooper to Stokes for the third, a lovely left foot strike into the corner from close in.
Both goals worth a view.
Slog of a game though, on a poor pitch. Paddy McCourt was a breath of fresh air when he came on.
I suppose that means he must have packed in the fags.

[Stuttgart88]

I didn't see either, but what a breath of fersh air to regularly read about two forwards who seem to play well together as a pair. I reckon I'll have to be telling my little fella sometime "back in my day son, there used to be such a thing as a strike partnership" and he'll look at me like I'm a looney.

[Junior]

They are linking up really well together, both very young and really seem to be enjoying playing together. Stokes' assist for Hoopers goal was a perfectly weighted one-two. He played another lovely through ball to Commons, from very deep, late in the 2nd half but the chance was wasted. it was another example of the high levels of work rate he is putting in as geysir has mentioned elsewhere.

[Philly]

Nice finish alright. It's hard to judge the SPL really, but hopefully he will get a chance over the next few games with Ireland so we can gauge how good he is right now for ourselves.

XbKgnghlGrw

[geysir]

Here's the assist from Stokes for the first goal, 'marginally' overshadowed by some beautiful controlled footwork from Hooper.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUwa4XF96Xo&feature=player_embedded#

[Serb]

The goal looks more like shocking goal keeping than good finishing to me. It doesn't look like there's a whole lot of power in the left foot shot and it still beats the keeper at his near post. I'm more impressed with the assist. A nice delicate touch that's easier to get wrong than to get right. Himself and Hooper seem to have forged a good understanding, hopefully the goals keep coming.

[irishfan86]

In the keeper's defense Serb, he looks to be at full stretch, when the ball takes a hop and goes over him. Not world-class keeping but I think that slow motion replay makes the goalkeeper look poorer than he probably was.

[Junior]

After me stating that Stokes and Hooper were unquestionably the starting strike partnership, Lennon goes and drops him from the Rangers game at the weekend!! Seemed a bit harsh imo and I am not Samaras' biggest fan either but Lennon seems to like him and after a great show at Ibrox in January he obviously wants to give him a few more opportunities.

Stokes came on late in the game but didnt have chance to do much - though true to form he did get involved in an after match handbags session with Alan McGregor.

[geysir]

I wasn't surprised by Samaras' selection, ahead of Anthony. Samaras is the obvious horse for the course.
He understands the do or die nature of the fixture and embraces the mission wholeheartedly. Against Rangers he plays like a man possessed, he also has the skill and physique to be left up front as lone striker while Hooper dropped deep.
And he was not subbed, Anthony replaced Hooper when he came on late. Samaras clocked up some serious milage out there.

[Charlie Darwin]

I think Stokes was unlucky that it was Hooper rather than Samaras who scored the goals - Lennon seemed to leave him on long after his legs had gone in the hope of getting the hat trick. Should be no doubt about who the first choice pairing is now.

[Junior]

Should be no doubt about who the first choice pairing is now.

Im not so sure. Lennon rates Hooper and Stokes as a pairing too, in fact its been his favoured choice. Samaras played the loan striker at Ibrox and was excellent. You're right geysir he's proven to do well in this fixture but all (certainly most voices I heard) among the crowd in the approach to the stadium were surprised by the change. We all thought it would be a 4-4-2 and therefore that it would be Stokes/Hooper.

Anyway, tactically it worked great and proves that Lennon is not afraid to change things around be it formation or those within the formation - credit to him for that.

[tetsujin1979]

Substituted in the second half today, with Celtic 2-0 down, and went straight down the tunnel.
Was poor today, and his last act was to drive a free kick into a Motherwell wall, when Commons was surely a better option?

[geysir]

Stokes was poor in a poor team performance. On a brighter note, Darren Randolph was in goal for Motherwell and did very well.

[OwlsFan]

Is Stokes going to be another Riordan at Celtic?

[geysir]

Doomsaying comes natural to you Owls.
Just because Glenmalure Pk was sold, the Hoops made homeless, Sheffield Wed sunk to div 3 or thereabouts, one too many injury time concessions and ref's bunged up to the eyeballs - all doesn't meant there is not the occasional silver lining, that a discarded player might make it back against the odds.

[paul_oshea]

hehe great to have owls, too many glass half full guys on this site, that you need perspective from owlie :D He has years on us too so he has reason!!

[TiocfaidhArmani]

hehe great to have owls, too many glass half full guys on this site, that you need perspective from owlie :D He has years on us too so he has reason!!

Who is owlie?

[paul_oshea]

Its a play on old and owlsfan.owlie no offence intended.

[OwlsFan]

Doomsaying comes natural to you Owls.
Just because Glenmalure Pk was sold, the Hoops made homeless, Sheffield Wed sunk to div 3 or thereabouts, one too many injury time concessions and ref's bunged up to the eyeballs - all doesn't meant there is not the occasional silver lining, that a discarded player might make it back against the odds.

:) Experience as a general concept comprises knowledge of or skill in or observation of some thing or some event gained through involvement in or exposure to that thing or event.

Who as a "discarded player" has made it back against the odds as a matter of interest? Very few I am afraid. Perhaps he might score a hat trick against Rangers tonight or perhaps he might sit most of the game out on the bench. The odds are on the latter but experience tells me, the former could happen as well. I saw the game against Motherwell as he was hopeless but then so was most of the Celtic team, on a dodgy pitch it has to be said.

Basically, a few goals in Scotland does not equal call up to the national side despite the calls of the knee jerkers. It would be great if Stokes could make it. History says otherwise.

Now back to studying the Division One table and if Owls win their next three games, they are within 3 points of the play offs (but history says otherwise).

[ifk101]

Who as a "discarded player" has made it back against the odds as a matter of interest? Very few I am afraid.

Have a look at our current national squad and cast a look over the individual careers of the players. You'll find examples there.

[tetsujin1979]

Who as a "discarded player" has made it back against the odds as a matter of interest? Very few I am afraid.
Off the top of my head, Graham Kavanagh, Lee Carsley, Dean Kiely, Stephen Carr, Phil Babb (briefly)

[Fixer82]

:)
Who as a "discarded player" has made it back against the odds as a matter of interest?

Roy Maurice Keane :p

[OwlsFan]

Off the top of my head, Graham Kavanagh, Lee Carsley, Dean Kiely, Stephen Carr, Phil Babb (briefly)

Graham Kavanagh (no great redemption here)

1990–1991 Home Farm
1991–1996 Middlesbrough 35 (3)
1996 → Stoke City (loan) 3 (1)
1996–2001 Stoke City 202 (33)
2001–2005 Cardiff City 142 (28)
2005–2006 Wigan Athletic 48 (0)
2006–2009 Sunderland 14 (1)
2007 → Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 7 (1)
2008 → Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 16 (1)
2008–2009 → Carlisle United (loan) 14 (3)
2009– Carlisle United 50

Lee Carsley (ditto)

Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1992–1999 Derby County 138 (5)
1999–2000 Blackburn Rovers 47 (11)
2000–2002 Coventry City 47 (4) (Premiership when relegated)
2002–2008 Everton 166 (11)
2008–2010 Birmingham City 48 (2)
2010– Coventry City 24 (0)

Phil Babb (ditto)

Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1990–1992 Bradford City 80 (14)
1992–1994 Coventry City 77 (3)
1994–2000 Liverpool 128 (1)
2000 → Tranmere Rovers (loan) 4 (0)
2000–2002 Sporting CP 11 (0)
2002–2004 Sunderland 48 (0)

Carr was injured and staged a miraculous recovery (all Premiership teams as well)

1993–2004 Tottenham Hotspur 226 (7)
2004–2008 Newcastle United 78 (1)
2009– Birmingham City 74 (0)

Dean Kiely - I'll give you him. :)

[drummerboy]

Anyone know if Stokes is starting tonight.

[Closed Account]

Anyone know if Stokes is starting tonight.
Doesn't look like it, from another forum

BBC confirm teams

Zaluska
Wilson
Majstorovic
Mulgrew
Izaguirre
Brown
Kayal
Ki
Commons
Samaras
Hooper

Subs: Cervi, Stokes and I missed the rest

[tetsujin1979]

third time in a row he hasn't started against Rangers, after starting the first two Old Firm games this season.
To be fair, Samaras has played well against Rangers, but it's still a little odd.

[Stuttgart88]

I don't think it's that odd. Geysir noted correctly that samaras has troubled Rangers in the last few games. Lennon would be mad to not pick him. I can't believe I'm not watching the OF game. The cricket replay is on the other channel. I was following most of it on my phone via the BBC live updates but got to a TV for the last 4 overs.

[tetsujin1979]

Graham Kavanagh (no great redemption here)Well, he went from League 1 to the Premiership, and forced his way back into the senior international side after more than 5 years

Lee Carsley (ditto)Again, was thinking more along the lines of his return from the international wilderness, but fair enough, he never played lower than the Championship

Phil Babb (ditto)

2000–2002 Sporting CP 11 (0)
No way he only played 11 times for Sporting Lisbon, he won foreign player of the year while he was there, and appeared in the Champions League

[SwanVsDalton]

Not directly Anthony per se, but still funny to see his dad has barred the Queen from coming into the family pub. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12745846) That's one big banner.

[The Fly]

That's bound to make his son's stay in Glasgow all the more pleasurable.

[pineapple stu]

No way he only played 11 times for Sporting Lisbon, he won foreign player of the year while he was there, and appeared in the Champions League
Portuguese wiki (http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Babb) gives him 37 appearances, which sounds more like it.

[boovidge]

Not directly Anthony per se, but still funny to see his dad has barred the Queen from coming into the family pub. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12745846) That's one big banner.

I presume he's against his son paying taxes to HM's Treasury and doesn't show British football games in his pub too?

[paul_oshea]

Not directly Anthony per se, but still funny to see his dad has barred the Queen from coming into the family pub. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12745846) That's one big banner.

was listening to this on joe duffy(i know), what a hypocrite, the same shilling that was paying for him to sit and drink with the wife in The Wishing Well palmers green in north london, while they were paid to drink by the Fans of Arsenal football club(indirectly) who pay taxes to the crown, and live over for a few months.

[Junior]

was listening to this on joe duffy(i know), what a hypocrite, the same shilling that was paying for him to sit and drink with the wife in The Wishing Well palmers green in north london, while they were paid to drink by the Fans of Arsenal football club(indirectly) who pay taxes to the crown, and live over for a few months.

How so? Are you saying his da only spends his sons wages whilst over on the pi$$ with his mrs? Perhaps he earns his own spending money and his conscience is clear?

Ah, we should probably leave it to off topic or poor old Anthonys thread may be derailed.........:-)

[geysir]

I couldn't make head nor tail out of what Paul was writing, he only writes proper when he's annoyed with me.

"while they were paid to drink by the Fans of Arsenal football club"

Some people get paid to drink, by the fans of a football club?

[osarusan]

Tony Adams for one.

[The Fly]

was listening to this on joe duffy(i know), what a hypocrite, the same shilling that was paying for him to sit and drink with the wife in The Wishing Well palmers green in north london, while they were paid to drink by the Fans of Arsenal football club(indirectly) who pay taxes to the crown, and live over for a few months.

Sheer poetry.

[paul_oshea]

How so? Are you saying his da only spends his sons wages whilst over on the pi$$ with his mrs? Perhaps he earns his own spending money and his conscience is clear?

Ah, we should probably leave it to off topic or poor old Anthonys thread may be derailed.........:-)

No when he was over at arsenal as a youngster, they were put up for a while and given "expenses" or so he was telling the locals in teh pub...im not sure how long months are, by the sounds of it he was a bit of a mouth anyway.

[paul_oshea]

Sheer poetry.

Thanks fly can you do your href and underline italic thingie?

[paul_oshea]

I couldn't make head nor tail out of what Paul was writing, he only writes proper when he's annoyed with me.

"while they were paid to drink by the Fans of Arsenal football club"

Some people get paid to drink, by the fans of a football club?

Geysir im never annoyed with you.

Or annoyed with anyone on a forum. Even if i have 10k+ posts!

[paul_oshea]

Tony Adams for one.

You can add niall quinn to that too and a few others at that time. The quiet serene pubs of winchmore hill/palmers green were a safe haven for them :)

[Junior]

No when he was over at arsenal as a youngster, they were put up for a while and given "expenses" or so he was telling the locals in teh pub...im not sure how long months are, by the sounds of it he was a bit of a mouth anyway.

Usually 30 or 31 days but there is an awkward little fecker known as February Which has 28 days and sometimes 29 - madness so it is.

You're welcome Paul

[paul_oshea]

Usually 30 or 31 days but there is an awkward little fecker known as February Which has 28 days and sometimes 29 - madness so it is.

You're welcome Paul

I was worried I thought you were going to give another defintion of a "month" :D

[gastric]

I usually know how long a month is by my wife's attitude towards me!

[kennedmc]

I believe Arsenal paid for his family to live with him in London for a while as he went over when he was only 15. He was also his 'agent' for a while

His Dad seems like a complete c**t given the fact his son is a high profile pro foootballer and in particualr the club where his son plays.

He still get all all the dozy 'Ra heads in though - go an da fookin' celts - deadly buzz.......

[tetsujin1979]

he worked with one of the agent's companies to help Irish players settle on moving to England as well, he was involved in Conor Clifford's transfer to Chelsea
some more here:
http://www.tribune.ie/archive/article/2006/mar/19/million-dollar-babies/
and here:
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+Chelsea+sign+Irish+wonderkid+Clifford% 3B+EXCLUSIVE.-a0142532742

just heard on the radio he's agreed to take the sign down anyway

[paul_oshea]

What did he replace it with:

"Old firm game on live on every screen in this pub"

Ive a mate who is working for a fairly well known agent over here. He is trying to cover the irish sector, hopefully he will get more through as he is a decent fella, like brings them out to meet people and stuff not just the "normal" expected tasks of an agent.

[paul_oshea]

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/publican-to-remove-banner-barring-queen-2582620.html?start=2

All this is great advertising for the players lounge, especially in the time of a recession. Great PR. The likes of tourists from Britain or NI likely to visit this was very small anyway given its location, however given its location, it will get even more stupid ra heads from surrounding areas now. Gotta hand it to him.

[boovidge]

The reasons for him being forced to take it down are tenuous to say the least though imo.