Anthony Stokes

* that creepy Shrek video! :smiley-laughing002:

 

I noticed Commons in europe was very stationery but I put that down to him being totally marked out of games and ganged up on, he did show patches of good footwork when on the ball however which every now and then gave him a little bit of breathing space but then his pace would let him down.

It is a shame really because if he had the time on the ball like he does domestically then that left foot of his could serve us well around the box i.e Karagandy goal.

Personally if we could move Stokes to that role I'd be happy, he may not be able to ping shots away like Commons, but he is as every bit comfortable on the ball and is probably that little bit better then Commons at linking up play.

Things is though who would be upfront? Griffiths? Balde? Pukki? new signing?

 

New signing. Balde isn't an option tbh. The love in with him is embarrassing.

He will be off in the summer. Not quite as bad as Bangura right enough.

Pukki has got something.

 

hes the only one with the 4 stars so he can do like the chops and rainbow flicks and elasticos

 

It's not embarrassing, It's support for a well liked CELTIC player who hasn't been given a fair chance. Even though he has impressed numerous times, he has done more with his time than Pukki has. Balde's time at Celtic isn't over yet.

 

Fair enought I personally wouldn't rule out Balde as he is done well given the sporadic 5-10 minutes he gets, I feel as though he could be used in a Samaras kinda way in europe, albeit it would be very predictable I guess but if had say someone like Griffiths and/or Stokes playing off he could be of use.

It's annoying for me because IMO with the limited time him and Pukki have had I feel like they certainly have something to offer, but then there is Stokes, Griffiths, Watt and then a new signing to consider.

If anything I would expect Pukki to be sold (rather he isn't) but I feel Lenny is likely to keep Balde as he is the different "option" out of all the Strikers we have

 

Soccer for poster of the year, that guy is just the best:icon_mrgreen:

 

Thats not true though. Balde has become a bit of a cult figure.

Pukki has 6 goals ; Balde has 3.

Pukki is technically quite good, his footwork is excellent at times. He played at quite a high level last season - higher than Balde.

Balde is equally as terrible, if not more - he's so clumsy as a player. I know he has had limited playing time but doesn't that speak volumes? Lennon sees him in training everyday and if he really thought he was any good he would play him.

 

I'm going to be rather controversial in my comparison here but Lenny has admitted that Balde to him is effectively a work in progress, now the controversy, I feel Wanyama was the same when he first joined, people complained of very similar things and look how he turned out in the end now I'm not saying Balde can become as good as he was here merely trying to state anything is possible.

 

I meant goals per minute, etc. Balde has been more effective. A lot less time than Pukki. He was excellent in Turkey as well, but so was Pukki.

Neither player is terrible, or a complete write off.

Balde is clumsy, but he is effective in many other ways and showed that against Motherwell when he came on and caused trouble. Winning balls in the air and knocking it down for Commons to run onto or shoot.

Terrible is Brozek and Bangura. Pukki and Balde have contributed well, they just have not been played enough. Lennon is notorious for not switching things about, I don't think it has anything to do with what he sees in training. Especially when he has said himself that Balde is a working project.

 

I guess I should go get my eyes tested again but I can't recall Balde ever being that clumsy, anytime I have seen him it is usually of the back of a good first touch that takes out his marker and then uses his strength and pace to get into a scoring position to finish it off.

I know it's a long shot but if someone could point me in the direction when his clumsy nature has come into play I would very much like to watch those games and see it.

For now I don't think he is any less clumsy then Samaras can be when in possession

 

That's a fair point and you may be correct. However I just feel at 22, he should not be as poor as he is. At this age there is some improvement left to go before you hit a 'peak', however the sloppiness of his play and clumsiness is startling.

He was a late starter to professional football at 19 but was let go from Sporting Lisbon after 2 years, despite not making one single appearance and being loaned out everywhere.

Compare him to Pukki, who at 20 scored 13 in 25 for HJK and then at 21 moved to Schalke and had 8 in 37, which granted is poor - but it was the Bundesliga.

Balde just isn't good enough and I doubt he ever will be. Even compare him to Stokes at that age and there is a startling difference. Stokes got 22 in 40 for Hibs in 1 season (at 22) and the counting everythin he has done for Celtic. Even at 18, he scored 14 in 16 for Falkirk.

Balde has no decent attributes other than height. So he's basically a plank who we will lob the ball into and hope that he can batter it into goal.

Not for me. Him and Pukki can go.

 

I'm not trying to run him down mate. Last year I thought he was good for us, more so in a defensive sense than an attacking sense though. However, his position and role in the team has changed now from last year. I don't feel he is good enough for the new role playing against the top European teams. I feel he gets found out slightly. Just how I see mate. I like Commons a lot domestically and in CL Qualifiers, in the Group Stages, not so much.

 

That's pretty much the same as me. Feels harsh though

 

It's a tough one, because if his form continues into next season, it's going to be near impossible for Lennon to leave him out of big games.

 

He done it Stokes

 

* ... he keeps it up, he might just beat his personal best tally.

 

The bizarre agenda among the minority here against Stokes for absolutely no reason is embarrassing.

An natural second striker to have his goals and assists record is astonishing.

 

I love the guy.

My favourite Celtic player.

 

I don't think anyone has an agenda do they?

I think he's a cracking spl player, just not my cup of tea for Europe.

He's not a player that overly excited me, nor is commons but they are good at their job domestically. I think thats how most people feel.