The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from skipper Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes made this message in several interviews following England's loss in the second match of the Ashes series against Australia earlier this month.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.
"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," said the England leader.
But, after Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
Stokes issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to England were beaten in the second Test to go two matches behind.
The England squad afterwards went on a break to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Before this match, Stokes said his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay alive in the Ashes battle.
Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special entering this Test."
The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph
The opener's wicket late on Saturday came during a crucial triple-strike by Australian spinner Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435.
This means, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three matches played.
Defeat will extend the English team's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes loss.
This series will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.
Not since 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"This is disheartening," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."
"There remains plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good team. It was inevitably hard coming here against them. They were the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Place Under Scrutiny
While the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
Pope was out for 17 in England's second innings on day four, extending his modest returns versus Australia.
Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a fifty and averages just 17.62.
Only one other England player in over a century – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.
However, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."
"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise externally. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.
