You've Been Cut Some Slack So Don't Hang Yourself
It did not come as the biggest surprise to discover Anthony Stokes has been farmed out on loan to Sheffield United, but it will also not be a major surprise if the young Irishman is given yet another chance at Sunderland.
Roy Keane doesn't have favourites, but if he did it would be Stokes. Few players have received more personal attention, or chances, than the former Arsenal prospect and it's clear Keane believes he has something special about him.
Sadly, whatever it is it has remained largely invisible to the majority of Sunderland supporters who have seen precious little of his supposed extra quality in a competitive situation.
Two goals in a Carling Cup game against Northampton Town may have saved the Black Cats in the Carling Cup last month, but that is pretty much where it has started and finished for him this season.
Nevertheless, while Stokes has fallen well down the pecking order following the arrival of Djibril Cisse and El Hadji Diouf, and is possibly even behind Martyn Waghorn in the manager's thinking, I fully expect to see him given yet another opportunity to prove he can succeed in the Premier League.
At 20, Stokes still has plenty of time to develop as a player and Keane believes a change of scenery and move back down to Championship level will speed up his progress.
While the likes of Carlos Edwards and Graham Kavanagh have been sent out on loan to Wolves and Carlisle respectively, you suspect, ahead of a permanent move in January, Keane will welcome his fellow Irishman back with open arms providing he makes the most of his time at Bramall Lane.
Keane, though, will only give him so much time to prove himself. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger also felt Stokes had talent, but he failed to get the most out him, hence why he turned up at Sunderland in the first place.
Stokes is said to enjoy a night out and what self-respecting 20-year-old would be any different. Keane was no stranger to a drinking session and a late night kebab in his heyday either, but the striker must realise it is time to get his priorities straight if he is not going to be yet another member of the could have made it club.
The move to Sheffield United may seem as though it is merely a chance to get some games under his belt, but Keane will be looking for the right sort of reaction. After all, you can only be a promising player for so long in your career before you become a never be.
Keane has cut Stokes more slack than most, but he will still cut him off altogether if he does not make the most of this loan move. I just hope Stokes realises it before it's too late.
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Luke Edwards - is Chief Sports Writer of The Journal and uses his blog to give a unique and entertaining insight into events at Newcastle United and Sunderland.
Perhaps he should go back to Scotland, he was averaging a goal a game up there.
I'll back him to score today on his debut.The lad is young and will come back a better player.Kav has been a great player in his time and can still do a job as can Edwards and have to say his lack of Premiership class is about the biggest disappointment from the lads going up.