Anthony Stokes (F free agent b.1988)

**Bluebeard** · 21/08/2007, 11:31 AM

Givens was a great servant to the national team as a player, and this should be remembered. Unfortunately, he is going to be remembered for taking on a job he didn't have the technology to do and for staying in it for ages as someone behind the scenes artificially held him in there.

Familar sounding, isn't it.

**NeilMcD** · 21/08/2007, 11:39 AM

Technology, buy the guy a laptop and some championship manager and a copy of pro zone.

**Noelys Guitar** · 21/08/2007, 11:40 AM

Not his job to be running to the media everytime there is a problem with a player. Great player in his prime but woeful manager. And should have gotten the boot along time ago.

**tetsujin1979** · 21/08/2007, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by pateen

I totally agree with riffraff. Givens has done this numerous times before. Keith Foy springs to mind when he was at forest.

Or Connolly that one time he was in charge of the senior team, 0-0 away to Greece. The most God-awful game I've ever sat through in my life.

**tetsujin1979** · 21/08/2007, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by Risteard

Why isn't Roy O'Donovan in that squad?
Only turned 22 last week.

Still not 100%, played and scored for the reserves against Hebburn Town last ngiht: http://www.safc.com/news/?page_id=12980

**theworm2345** · 21/08/2007, 12:07 PM

Givens is a liar (we've seen it before), don't believe a word he says (and I've been the one ripping on Stokes too...)

**TonyD** · 21/08/2007, 12:10 PM

Funniest thing about the whole saga is the suggestion that Roy Keane would contact the FAI, about ANYTHING.

**cheifo** · 21/08/2007, 12:17 PM

Garvan been omitted because of..well God knows and now trouble with Stokes.Throw in Terry Dixons injury and we are not having much luck with our most promising young players.

Givens does seem to like playing the martyr though.

**SunderlandBohs** · 21/08/2007, 12:22 PM

Did Givens ring Sunderland to find out if Stokes was injured before running to the papers? I'm guessing no.

**as_i_say** · 21/08/2007, 12:29 PM

Couldnt give a sh1t about Givens being inconvenienced. Total waste of space.

**Macy** · 21/08/2007, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by cheifo

Givens does seem to like playing the martyr though.

Wouldn't you be looking for every excuse going with his record?

**kingeric** · 21/08/2007, 1:13 PM

what a load of bullsh1t. For the FAI to call someone unproffesional is a joke.

For an 18/19 year old, Stokes takes an awful amount of abuse.

I really can't understand why the lad gets personal insulted all the time? and so much of the time it seems to be based on rumours..

so he missed a bus last year?..

what else has he ACTUALLY done to deserve the level of abuse that people give him on an on-going basis?

**Macy** · 21/08/2007, 1:16 PM

Originally Posted by kingeric

what else has he ACTUALLY done to deserve the level of abuse that people give him on an on-going basis?

Signing for a Roy Keane managed side and turning down Celtic has a lot to do with it imo.

**Billsthoughts** · 21/08/2007, 1:21 PM

Originally Posted by Macy

Signing for a Roy Keane managed side and turning down Celtic has a lot to do with it imo.

amen to that...

**DmanDmythDledge** · 21/08/2007, 1:26 PM

Originally Posted by Macy

Signing for a Roy Keane managed side and turning down Celtic has a lot to do with it imo.

That has nothing to do with it. His bad attitide, disrespect to fellow teammates and wasting his talent is what is drawing all the criticism. I doubt anyone cares who he plays for as long as he's playing well and fulfilling his potential.

**Dr. Ogba** · 21/08/2007, 1:34 PM

Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge

That has nothing to do with it. His bad attitide, disrespect to fellow teammates and wasting his talent is what is drawing all the criticism. I doubt anyone cares who he plays for as long as he's playing well and fulfilling his potential.

Exactly...I couldn't care less who he plays for as long as he does the business for both club and country.

Sounds like he needs a good kick up the arse imho...

**bellavistaman** · 21/08/2007, 1:59 PM

Originally Posted by Dr. Ogba

Exactly...I couldn't care less who he plays for as long as he does the business for both club and country.

Sounds like he needs a good kick up the arse imho...

Totally agree, no better man to give it to him too than Keano.

**kingeric** · 21/08/2007, 3:18 PM

Originally Posted by Billsthoughts

amen to that...

ah! so it's a bigot thing is it?

personally, i agree that stokes has been absolutely sh1te in his first two premiership matches, but i don't think any worse than Murphy was.

Yet it is Stokes who gets all the abuse??

There's too much pressure on the lad.

I think if Shane Long (as an example) that put those exact performances in, people would support him -saying he's just a young lad, he needs time to adjust, and that he done alright because he was playing out of position. The expectation on Stokes is greater because of the he went for.

Out of all Ireland's young forward prospects, i still think he has more talent than any. he's not just a grafter/ some one that will run all day- he has genuine talent. if people would get off his back,he might develop some degree of confidence and become a useful player.

**Paddy Garcia** · 21/08/2007, 3:31 PM

I don't think he lacks confidence - the opposite if anything.

**Wolfie** · 21/08/2007, 3:48 PM

Its down to an attitude problem at the moment. Not uncommon in some players of his age.

I remember a certain Andy Reid and Keith Foy being read the riot act at Forest. They were left in no uncertain terms that they had to knuckle down or clear off.

Andy Reid took notice, Keith Foy didn't.

Richard Dunne went through the same thing at City.

Even Keane had his incidents off the pitch - but the difference is he usually delivered while on the pitch.