Above: Demi Stokes pictured at St James’ Park after signing for newly promoted Championship side, Newcastle United Photo: Newcastle United Official Media
By Caitlin Kelly (8/9/24)
Championship side, Newcastle United, announced the signing of former Manchester City defender, Demi Stokes. After making 113 appearances and spending the last nine years at Manchester City, what impact could she have on the newly promoted side?
Across the 2023/24 Women’s National League North season, Newcastle United conceded more than one goal in games just three times, otherwise keeping 15 clean sheets or letting in one goal in each game on only three occasions. Overall, the side conceded just 11 goals across the entirety of last season proving that The Magpies had a solid defence in their title-winning campaign. But stepping up the football pyramid is typically difficult, so it is inevitable new signings will be made.
During her time at City, she was no stranger to glory and earned seven major honours with the club. This includes one league title, three FA Cups and three league cups. This winning mentality can be used to boost the side to more victory after a triumphant past few seasons. As competition increases moving up the pyramid, the determination to strive is crucial. After achieving back-to-back promotions, it is no doubt Newcastle United are hungry for further success.
Stokes has also had a successful spell in her international career so far. Since joining the senior Lionesses squad in 2014, the defender has earned 69 caps and scored her only England goal to this day in a spectacular 9-0 victory over Montenegro, only three months after her debut against Norway in January of 2014. Three honours she has contributed to on the national team include the SheBelieves Cup in 2019, the Arnold Clark Cup in 2022, aswell as the UEFA Women’s European Championship in 2022. Having a Lioness join their side is massive for Newcastle and increases their odds of having a triumphant season they desire making an appearance for the very first time in the Barclays Women’s Championship.
Making her professional debut at 16 with Sunderland, Stokes, 32, has many years of her career already under her belt. Undoubtedly, she has encountered a range of situations so far, from winning a European Championship on home soil to being named WSL player of the season twice to playing a season abroad for Vancouver Whitecaps. This experience could be utilised to aid the performances of the newly promoted side by having the knowledge of what to do in a number of situations on the pitch.
Aswell as this, working with a number of teams involves learning to adapt to a number of playing styles, allowing her to work efficiently within a new team setting. A long-serving player such as Stokes is also more likely to be conscious of the nuances of different positions on the field than someone who has less experience and can as a result adapt their play to their position on the field and to who they are facing.
Furthermore, the experience she holds can be utilised as being a leader for the team. With a wide knowledge of the game, this leader role could involve guiding younger players during matches and sharing strategies and tactics previously picked up that aren’t always easily acquired from training alone.
Stokes typically plays a role as a versatile defender, which is valued by any team. This may not only boost her own game time on the pitch, but also due to the fact she can slot into multiple positions in the backline, the impact of on injuries or suspensions on the team are reduced. This also allows substitutions to be maximised meaning that any substitutions made can be more strategically done, knowing a versatile player can shift roles as and when needed, allowing for more advantageous use of the bench
Not only this but also, she can switch positions during a match, allowing the team to transition effortlessly between varying tactical setups without changing the players who are already on the field, proving the value a versatile member can have on a squad.
Alongside the arrival of last season’s Championship Player of the Season, Claudia Moan between the sticks, from rival club Sunderland, Newcastle’s backline for the upcoming season will no doubt be strong for their debut campaign in the Championship.
Furthermore, the experience she holds can be utilised as being a leader for the team. With a wide knowledge of the game, this leader role could involve guiding younger players during matches and sharing strategies and tactics previously picked up that aren’t always easily acquired from training alone.
Stokes typically plays a role as a versatile defender, which is valued by any team. This may not only boost her own game time on the pitch, but also due to the fact she can slot into multiple positions in the backline, the impact of on injuries or suspensions on the team are reduced. This also allows substitutions to be maximised meaning that any substitutions made can be more strategically done, knowing a versatile player can shift roles as and when needed, allowing for more advantageous use of the bench
Not only this but also, she can switch positions during a match, allowing the team to transition effortlessly between varying tactical setups without changing the players who are already on the field, proving the value a versatile member can have on a squad.
Alongside the arrival of last season’s Championship Player of the Season, Claudia Moan between the sticks, from rival club Sunderland, Newcastle’s backline for the upcoming season will no doubt be strong for their debut campaign in the Championship.
Furthermore, the experience she holds can be utilised as being a leader for the team. With a wide knowledge of the game, this leader role could involve guiding younger players during matches and sharing strategies and tactics previously picked up that aren’t always easily acquired from training alone.
Stokes typically plays a role as a versatile defender, which is valued by any team. This may not only boost her own game time on the pitch, but also due to the fact she can slot into multiple positions in the backline, the impact of on injuries or suspensions on the team are reduced. This also allows substitutions to be maximised meaning that any substitutions made can be more strategically done, knowing a versatile player can shift roles as and when needed, allowing for more advantageous use of the bench
Not only this but also, she can switch positions during a match, allowing the team to transition effortlessly between varying tactical setups without changing the players who are already on the field, proving the value a versatile member can have on a squad.
Alongside the arrival of last season’s Championship Player of the Season, Claudia Moan between the sticks, from rival club Sunderland, Newcastle’s backline for the upcoming season will no doubt be strong for their debut campaign in the Championship.
As they look to create a rememberable first season in the Championship, Demi Stokes returning to the Northeast after beginning her career at Sunderland, could prove an integral part of the side as a versatile addition to their backline.
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