Anthony Stokes

I think izzy left it to him tbh, at the end of the game stokes went up to izzy and looked like he said 'you shouldve took it'.

 

Stokes is one of those players you tend to take for granted, ever consistent, always likely to score or help assist a goal. I think Stokes has been Lenny's most shrewd signing, and with Stokes being such a big Celtic fan he will be happy just playing for Celtic, and won't want to move anywhere else, because it would be a downwards step for him. I think Stokes realises now that certain games, especially the Ranger's games we tend to play a different pattern and set up, and he accepts now he might not always start in games of that nature as it might weaken our game plan.Terrific goal again today that opened the floodgates for us.

 

Terrific finish today.

If I had one criticism of Stokes it would be that he is neither pacey nor strong. I wouldn't mind see him working on either his speed or maybe bulk up a bit so he doesn't always need to rely on that fantastic technique of his. Would be nice to see him aquire an extra side to his game that way.

Outstanding talent though, looks like he is knuckling down.

 

Needs to learn the * offside rule. Apart from that he's having some season but been on the bench lately.

 

Surely has to start the next game?

 

Didn't start but surely the score would suggest lennon called the team selection right, im not 100% sure we will see stokes starting against inverness either, Lenny seems to love sammy playing against the more physical spl teams and judging by the 2 previous games id be inclined to agree.

 

Samaras was decent tonight, didn`t do too much wrong but Stokes has to be starting imo. He offers so much more than Sammy and the link up play with Hooper is sensational. He still doesn`t get the credit he deserves, Just remember, we wouldn`t be in this position if it wasn`t for Stokes

 

Lenny rotates Stokes and Sammy very effectively, didn't agree with it at first, but Lenny has shown he knows best. Fully expect Stokes to start and score against Inverness on Saturday though

 

After watching Hearts play St Johnstone in the Cup I knew Lennon would start Samaras tonight ,St Johnstone played with 10 men but they ran the wings against them and Hearts were not at the races against them ,Sammi was always going to run at them and open them up where Stokes plays more Central ,
Good call by Lennon .

 

I wonder what kind of banter went on between Stokesy and Hooper when he came on. they were both laughing and Im sure it was something to do with there friendly competition to see who finishes top goalscorer

Good to see that instead of a disgruntled player coming on.

 

While I get that Sammy needs game-time too and Celtic has been winning without him, I really don't get the decision to drop Stokes. Sammy could play on the wing and Hooper and Stokes could continue playing up top.

Stokes is the leading goalscorer, leading assister, and he's just as deserving as anyone else.

 

To be honest I don't think he's been playing as well for the team. He's offside an awful lot and his link-up play hasn't been as good as it should be. He was rotten against Falkirk although he scored two goals. I think Lennon wants people to work hard first of all, like Sammy. Also playing Sammy is like playing a winger/striker so it fills out the midfield more, making us harder to beat.

 

Decent?! He was miles better than decent!

 

Sammy did pretty much play on the wing last night.

It's the return of Scott Brown that's keeping Stokesey out the team. Lenny didn't want to drop either Sammy or James Forrest cos they were two of our best players over the last couple of months. But equally he wanted two reliable guys in CM. So his solution is to play a 5-man midfield which can swap to a kind of 4-3-3 with Sammy and James Forrest cutting inside in advanced positions.

Given that last night Sammy was our best player, and Broony actually wasn't far behind, it seems like the right decision...

 

Stokes seems to be the easy one to bench. Sammy is moved upfront to accomodate guys in midfield and Stokes seems to be benched to accomodate Sammy.

 

we're still in 3 competitions, stokes will get plenty of starts over the next few months

 

I don't agree with this. Samaras naturally drifts out to that side from deep; he was definitely a striker though. He got into some good scoring positions being the spearhead of the attack tonight and never managed a goal which was unlucky.

It was a more of a diamond formation with Hooper and Samaras upfront.

Sensational by Lennon to be honest.

 

I think stokes can be a little inconsistent. In the way thathe can go 5 or 6 games without a goal then score a hattrick. And his link up play hasn't been the best either. So I think Lennon doesn't want to play because sometimes he
Doesn't guarantee setting up goals and scoring them every single week ( which
Is what we need). Just what I think.

 

I see what your saying, but he scored 2 against Falkirk and was dropped...