Source: Team_Talk
Stokes refuses to give up on third
Anthony Stokes has urged his Hibernian team-mates not to give up on third place in the SPL - because they are proof of how a slump can occur.[LNB] Despite occupying the so-called 'best of the rest' spot behind the Old Firm for most of the season, Hibs' hopes of finishing there have all but evaporated following a run of only two wins in their last 10 SPL games.[LNB]The dramatic collapse has allowed Dundee United to leapfrog them and open up an eight-point lead, but Stokes is refusing to give up hope of another twist in the race before the end of the season.[LNB]"Dundee United have the lead and are in good form at the minute but we've seen this year that any team can go on a slump, so six games can change things," Stokes told his club's official website.[LNB]"Because of that, we simply can't give up - we've seen how our form went as well, fortunes can change very quickly so we'll keep working and you just don't know what will happen so you have to do that."[LNB]Stokes, whose 20 goals have helped carry Hibs for much of the season, knows victory at Hamilton on Saturday is crucial to maintaining his side's bid for third spot.[LNB]"Hamilton are a very well organised side who know and play to their own strengths," said the 21-year-old, who netted twice in a 5-1 win the last time the sides met.[LNB]"You know when you play them that they are going to graft and they will be in your face from the start.[LNB]"It's a game where if we turn up in the way we did last time we played them then we can get a few goals - it really is down to us, we have to graft and put the hard work in there and hopefully the football will come from that."[LNB]Stokes has also set himself the target of finishing his debut season at Easter Road with at least 25 goals to his name.[LNB]"I am happy enough to have scored 20 goals so far," said the Republic of Ireland international.[LNB]"At the same time, there were one or two chances in games I should've taken. You have to just accept that.[LNB]"Overall, I'm delighted and hoping to nick a few more before the end of the season.[LNB]"It did take me four or five games at the start of the season to get my sharpness back again but I think I've done all right since then - my thinking is that if I can get around 25 for the season then I'll be happy.[LNB]"And, with six games to go, I'm hoping that I will do at least that."
