Anthony Stokes (F free agent b.1988)

**seanfhear** · 24/10/2009, 4:30 PM

Originally Posted by Colbert Report

Great finish with the left foot. The fact that it was against Rangers makes it that much sweeter.

Great finish alright.

Bad defending by two Rangers defenders

Great finish alright !

**Razors left peg** · 24/10/2009, 4:34 PM

brilliant goal,showed strenght, great control, use of both feet and cool finish.The lad is very talented if he can just get his attitude right he can still go on to be very important for us in future

**Eirambler** · 24/10/2009, 4:49 PM

Originally Posted by EastTerracer

Stack, Miller and Stokes all played 90 minutes for Hibs with Kurtis Byrne on the bench.

I can't remember an SPL team having that many Irish (Republic of) players since Bonner, Morris and McCarthy in the late eighties.

Patrick Cregg from Dublin was on the bench too.

You need to be careful judging players on their SPL form though. Liam Miller has been exceptional in every game he's played for Hibs this season but he was poor to average against Montenegro last week.

Hard to believe Stokes has just turned 21 though, feels like he's been around for years.

**Murfinator** · 24/10/2009, 4:51 PM

In fairness Miller was as good as any other player in green that night bar Hunt.

**tetsujin1979** · 24/10/2009, 4:56 PM

Originally Posted by EastTerracer

Stack, Miller and Stokes all played 90 minutes for Hibs with Kurtis Byrne on the bench.

I can't remember an SPL team having that many Irish (Republic of) players since Bonner, Morris and McCarthy in the late eighties.

Celtic have had various combinations of McGeady, O'Dea, Flood and Sheridan in their lineups over the last two seasons, but never all four.
Falkirk actually had five in their lineup a few times in 2008/2009 with Graham Barrett, Patrick Cregg, Billy Clarke, Shane Supple and Stephen Bradley all on the books for the Buddies

**M@ttitude** · 24/10/2009, 7:35 PM

Originally Posted by Manblue

Thats a lie hes not at arsenal/ even playing in the prem anymore because he is bang average

Have to disagree, I have said it since the first time I seen him play for Arsenal youths, Stokesy has huge potential! As mentioned above he is only 21, i know these days thats no excuse for bad attitudes but he's the closest we have to a Rooney esque player.. Hopefully that goal is the start of a good run and he's top scorer in the SPL going to South Africa!!

**Yard of Pace** · 24/10/2009, 7:41 PM

Originally Posted by M@ttitude

Have to disagree, I have said it since the first time I seen him play for Arsenal youths, Stokesy has huge potential! As mentioned above he is only 21, i know these days thats no excuse for bad attitudes but he's the closest we have to a Rooney esque player.. Hopefully that goal is the start of a good run and he's top scorer in the SPL going to South Africa!!

Yep, he might be barred from the Glass Spider and whatever its Edinburgh equivalent is but Stokes still has huge potential. He's got serious skill, strength and the balls to try things that other forwards wouldn't even dream of. I saw him a few times for Ireland underage and he was frustrating as hell to watch but the talent is there in abundance. Stokes and Dixon up front in Euro 2014....

**kennedmc** · 24/10/2009, 8:29 PM

rubbish defending but great skill and finishing by Stokes

**Drumcondra 69er** · 25/10/2009, 11:56 AM

Just seen it, cracking goal. Off to his old lads boozer now, happy days!

**dynamo kerry** · 25/10/2009, 4:43 PM

Originally Posted by elroy

Wouldnt hold my breath on this lad until he sorts out his attitude, involved in a late night brawl at a nightclub in Edinburgh only the weekend before last well at least that was the way it was reported.

incorrect. That happened over a month ago.

certainly an attitude question mark. but lets keep the facts right.

so far he's been a success. strangely miller is very well received in edinburgh. I live within 150 metres of Easter road and all the locals love him. Despite my pleas for sanity I might point out.

**dodgycanadian** · 25/10/2009, 9:59 PM

Stokes is rubbish. He's a big time charlie. Always out on the **** in Dublin... uses his football to fund a lifestyle not as a career. He was muck in the premiership, way out of his depth. I can understand him getting into the papers once or twice but its constant with him and always for the wrong reasons. SPL or League 1 is about his level. Roy Keane said hes the type of player who would be at the top level in a few years or playing non-league football and it looks to be the latter for Stokes. Few players are well above him in the Irish team's pecking order.

**SilkCut** · 26/10/2009, 4:23 AM

Originally Posted by M@ttitude

Have to disagree, I have said it since the first time I seen him play for Arsenal youths, Stokesy has huge potential! As mentioned above he is only 21, i know these days thats no excuse for bad attitudes but he's the closest we have to a Rooney esque player.. Hopefully that goal is the start of a good run and he's top scorer in the SPL going to South Africa!!

Would love for this to be true. However I think it is just a case of players finding their level. Miller, Stack and Stokes were all great hope for the future, they all failed, firstly at big clubs, then in the championship. Now they all look like great players in the SPL. Sad, there should still be hope for Stokes though, he is only 21. The other two are done.

**Razors left peg** · 26/10/2009, 7:34 AM

We write off players too quickly sometimes. Look at the way Richard Dunne managed to turn his career around.Was in Saipain I think the famous incident was where he had a go at a journalist because the journalist had called him unprofessional, but did while he had a pint in one hand and a cigarrette in the other!
If Stokes can get his attitude right he has every chance of being an excellent player and could still make it in the Premiership.If he doesnt he will go the way of Sean Thornton and end up being a nothing player. Either way its too soon to write him off as rubbish

**eaststand85** · 26/10/2009, 7:40 AM

Terrible defending but nice finish.

**seanfhear** · 26/10/2009, 8:47 AM

He may have the football and physical ability but

has he got the mental ability and disicipline ?

That is the question

To be or not to be !

**Junior** · 26/10/2009, 10:20 AM

Great goal. criticism of the defending just detracts from a great goal. Two guys were on him and he made not even a half chance a beautiful goal using his chest, right foot and then left foot to finish excellently.

Havent really seen much of Stokes over the years -however whilst this was a great goal you only have to watch back 2 weeks ago (forget the opposition) where he was extremely lucky not to get sent off for kicking out recklessly at an opposition player.

**Wangball** · 27/10/2009, 7:59 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Celtic have had various combinations of McGeady, O'Dea, Flood and Sheridan in their lineups over the last two seasons, but never all four.
Falkirk actually had five in their lineup a few times in 2008/2009 with Graham Barrett, Patrick Cregg, Billy Clarke, Shane Supple and Stephen Bradley all on the books for the Buddies

I was at a Dunfermline game where Gary Dempsey, Billy Mehmet, Noel Hunt & Richie Byrne all played, I remember thinking that the 4 on the pitch at 1 time was nothing short of amazing.

Back on topic, I've heard rumours from some of my mates in Scotland that Stokes wasn't actually invovled in the fracas in the nightclub, rather somebody from his group was (Derek Riordan) wither way he shuld of known better than to go out in Edinburgh

**Den Perry** · 27/10/2009, 9:17 AM

the highlights were on Sky Sports last nite and the goal wasn't the only piece of outstanding play from Stokes. He looked like a really aggressive and skillfull player and had one amazing run where he beat two Rangers players in the box before setting up a great chance. However, one swallow doesn't make a summer.....

**Murfinator** · 27/10/2009, 9:31 AM

He's a confidence player plain and simple. He's the type of guy who'll only excel when he's playing with and against players he considers inferior to himself.

**Junior** · 27/10/2009, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by Den Perry

the highlights were on Sky Sports last nite and the goal wasn't the only piece of outstanding play from Stokes. He looked like a really aggressive and skillfull player and had one amazing run where he beat two Rangers players in the box before setting up a great chance. However, one swallow doesn't make a summer.....

Yep nice piece of skill alright. He needs to kick on this season and consistently produce - No reason why he couldnt be pushing for a squad place then.