Not this guy .... ... nor this guy ... ... but this guy ... Lest you doubters forget he was looking a lot better last year before he got injured. This year David Stokes kick ass and take names.
I thought his contribution to the team was significantly improved over the second half of the season. Oh come on, there's a winking face in there. I'm his biggest fan when it comes to optimism for next year. Lord knows with his size and physical presence he could go a long way towards helping United if he ever figures out the whole soccer/defense part.
Previously dubbed "the worst DC United defender ever" by a source who will remain unnamed. Not an official source mind you, just someone I won't name. He is not, most likely. Wonder who would be? Where's the offseason worst XI thread?
Wait wait, my bad, this is the *appreciation* thread. He did improve. I'm looking forward to seeing what he brings this season.
I have nuthin' but love for David Stokes (or almost anyone in that nice-ass jersey he has on above). He's a good guy, even if he is from Dumfries. And I'm not saying he had anything to do with the train derailment there this morning, it's just a coincidence. He's another guy I always thought was better suited to a 4-4-2 (please don't do that with this thread, you know who you are), but has really been improving in the 3-5-2 over the last year or three. I had heard he was not gonna be back this year, glad he seems to be with us still. He was very gracious to us at the Barra preseason party a couple years back, took a nice picture with my girlfirend.
We coulda used him vs. Chicago, his crosses to Boswell are like Preki's feints to his left foot; predictable, not very pretty, but nigh unstoppable. Yes, I will milk this as long as possible.
I'll admit to liking David very much. In fact right now at work I have a picture of myself, him and Susan together from 2004. There is also a picture of Dema and I, just Dema and then a picture of the team holding the '04 cup.
As long as he learns to tell a certain keeper. "If you are going to come off your line, fvcking tell someone!"
I hope that those that are fans of Stokes, don't criticize Nowak if he doesn't get results. Even when he plays his best(and he did play better last year), Stokes tends to be a result killer. I've seen a lot of criticizers of Nowak on these boards. As I said originally, I just hope that people posting in this thread of the virtues of David Stokes aren't among them.
Here's what I don't get: when you look at the kid and how he plays, you'd think more of a central defender. He's not a particularly great man-marker as you'd like in a left or right back, but on the other hand, he has imposing size and decent speed. Does anyone else think this way...?
Put him up front. His tendency to wander all over the field, disastrous for a defender, will confuse the opposition when he plays up top.
I don't know that I'm a fan of Stokes, but he has undeniable physical gifts. Even though he seems best suited for a central defender, he doesn't seem all that interested in defending. He seems better going forward. IOW, I could see him as a d-mid where he could really do some damage. Of course, he'd have to beat Carroll and Simms for the spot, and I just don't see that happening soon.
Dude, it's 2006... No one uses pagers any more.... But my blackberry did start ringin' like a mutha f'----... It took less than a week, the first week of 2006 for those Stokes doubters to rise again... surprise, surprise... I appreciate Stokesy.. and soon you all will too... (evil laugh) Stokes will step up to the challenge when given a chance in 06... He will show how much he has improved in the reserve league in 06, and will become a solid back up to Erpen, Boswell, Prideux and Namoff and if any of them happen to go down (knock on wood) Then he will step in, keep the defense stable if not make it better.. and if he does.. Don't be surprise if Prediux becomes a back up. I honestly beleive this, go ahead and make your jokes now.. Laugh now.. I'll laugh later.. Stokes Army lives!
Stokes i think will do great next year, he just needs more playing time, like everyone else on the bench. What happened to John Wilson, did he get cut? I havn't heard anything about him in a while.
I believe in Stokesy! But I have to agree, I think he would be much better at a d-mid then on our back line. too bad we have so much depth in our midfield.
Once Stokesie captures the mental side of the game, he should be awesome. Until then, I'm afraid it's just potential. GM
I would like to see Stokes get some time in the DMid spot when Carroll is away, which might be often. With Nowak committed to the 3-5-2, Stokes is kinda set up to fail when stuck out on the end. He likes to get forward and can make some really good passes into the attack. But with only 3 in the back, that becomes prohibitively dangerous or to be reserved for desperation time. Stokes rules!