Second Touch is a Tackle!

**spike220** · 04-03-2014 07:17 AM

There has been a lot said about poor first touch of players (i.e. first touch of baby elephant)

But who in our present squad has the best first touch?

and

Who out of past Hibs players had a great first touch?

**hibbymark** · 04-03-2014 07:31 AM

Griffiths most recently and I was a big fan of David Murphy who had a great first touch. Current squad probably Kevin Thomson for me.

**GreenArmyyy!** · 04-03-2014 07:33 AM

Past, David Murphy and Leigh Griffiths. Present, Watmore and Stanton.

***basehibby*** · 04-03-2014 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by spike220

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There has been a lot said about poor first touch of players (i.e. first touch of baby elephant)

But who in our present squad has the best first touch?

and

Who out of past Hibs players had a great first touch?

From memory, without being outstanding, Harris, Robertson, Heffernan, Thomson and Craig have a decent first touch - and Watmore and Haynes look to be decent on that score.

From history, Archiegoals stands out for me as having a first touch which was utterly sublime - you could hit the ball at Archie from pretty much anywhere and at any pace and he would bring it down, control it and often lay off an accurate pass or a goal bound shot - all in one sweet poetic movement - CLASS

**TheFamous1875** · 04-03-2014 07:52 AM

Kevin Thomson and Sam Stanton are the immediate two who spring to mind as good passers with a good first touch. They get in situations where they can use these abilities, whereas most of the rest of the squad wouldn't dare get in a tight situation as they'd lose the ball immediately.

Robertson, Nelson, Craig, McGivern, Cairney (who is skilful) all show a lack of composure almost every time they have the ball. As soon as they get it, it just bounces back off them and they have to chase it down! The fact that professional footballers regularly have trouble controlling the football is embarrassing and confusing.

I've not played football since I was 14, (I'm 23) but whenever I go for 5s (few times a year sporadically) my touch comes back after the third game or so, and it puts these professionals to shame as they play and practice 3-4 days a week for most of their lives.

For me, the trick is to be very gentle with the ball. Let it 'cushion' off your foot when having your first touch. Take all the power out of your foot and let it come to you. You're merely supporting the ball, not kicking it.

It just riles me as these guys obviously don't think it's worth being worked on.

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***TRC*** · 04-03-2014 07:54 AM

Sauzee for me then Murphy recent years and Doyle both had great first touches. Kevin Harper I also seem to recall being gifted with a decent first touch. Just now stanton from what I've seen looks to have the ability to receive and pass in one movement

**Cabbage East** · 04-03-2014 08:45 AM

Franck and Murphy recently. Wouldn't trust any of the current bunch.

***Hibbyradge*** · 04-03-2014 08:49 AM

Stevenson's touch is extremely reliable.

**~~Steven_Hibs~~** · 04-03-2014 08:57 AM

James Collins present, Colin Nish past

**~~Chump~~** · 04-03-2014 09:05 AM

I always remember Willie Miller having a very good first touch

**RoslinInstHibby** · 04-03-2014 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by Steven_Hibs

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James Collins present, Colin Nish past

wind up eh?

**Liberal Hibby** · 04-03-2014 09:11 AM

The ball always stuck to Mixu.

**Weststandwanab** · 04-03-2014 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by Steven_Hibs

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James Collins present, Colin Nish past

Really? and secondly seriously ?

What pub are you in ?

**~~clerriehibs~~** · 04-03-2014 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by TheFamous1875

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Kevin Thomson and Sam Stanton are the immediate two who spring to mind as good passers with a good first touch. They get in situations where they can use these abilities, whereas most of the rest of the squad wouldn't dare get in a tight situation as they'd lose the ball immediately.

Robertson, Nelson, Craig, McGivern, Cairney (who is skilful) all show a lack of composure almost every time they have the ball. As soon as they get it, it just bounces back off them and they have to chase it down! The fact that professional footballers regularly have trouble controlling the football is embarrassing and confusing.

I've not played football since I was 14, (I'm 23) but whenever I go for 5s (few times a year sporadically) my touch comes back after the third game or so, and it puts these professionals to shame as they play and practice 3-4 days a week for most of their lives.

For me, the trick is to be very gentle with the ball. Let it 'cushion' off your foot when having your first touch. Take all the power out of your foot and let it come to you. You're merely supporting the ball, not kicking it.

It just riles me as these guys obviously don't think it's worth being worked on.

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Coulda been a contender

**heretoday** · 04-03-2014 10:17 AM

Alex Cropley and John Collins had good football brains and great touch. It pains me to watch Barca and think they are just 11 guys like Hibs.

***jacomo*** · 04-03-2014 10:19 AM

Frankly, not enough of the present squad seem like decent footballers. We used to have plenty of players who were comfortable receiving the ball - Boozy and Riordan also worth a mention.

**heretoday** · 04-03-2014 10:33 AM

Actually the standard of touch in the entire SPL is pretty poor.

It makes you wonder if the guys practise in training at all or just rely on strength and basic ball skills to get by.

I can remember watching some Hibs players playing in the local park when I were't nipper. This was outside training and they obviously just loved playing 3 and In.

Marinello autographed my gymshoe on one occasion to general amusement. It was all a laugh. Happy days!

**Hibiza** · 04-03-2014 10:34 AM

one of the ball boys , main stand side or the "Tache's" barber.

***PatHead*** · 04-03-2014 11:09 AM

Surprised no-one has mentioned Fletch of our recent players

**PeterboroHibee** · 04-03-2014 11:16 AM

I think Stanton probably has the best first touch, and from what Ive seen so far Collins has the worst.

**SuperAllyMcleod** · 04-03-2014 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by Chump

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I always remember Willie Miller having a very good first touch

Yeah, me too, he used to bring down a long ball from the opposing keeper with his instep - always impressive.

Recently, O'Connor's second touch was a header - he had a terrible first touch.

**~~BOB MARLEYS DUG~~** · 04-03-2014 11:54 AM

Good:

Kev Thomson and Sam Stanton the best - Pres.

Murphy and Griffiths - Past.

Bad:

James Collins and Michael Nelson - Pres.

Rowan Vine and Amadou Konte - Past.

**--------** · 04-03-2014 12:25 PM

Willie Hamilton. The ball just stuck to him, and if he didn't want you to have it, you didn't get it. Period.

He was the best I've ever seen for total control - he would make Messi look like a clogger and Ronaldo a prima-donna Fancy-Dan. That's no exaggeration, BTW - he player at ER against Real Madrid in 1965 and totally outshone every Real player on the pitch.

Peter Marinello - awesome for a teenager. Heartbreaking that he failed to make the grade; he could have been anything he wanted to be in the game.

Sloop - for a well-timed tackle and coming out with the ball at his feet, none better.

Paddy Stanton.

Joe Baker.

Latapy. Sauzee. Darren Jackson. Mickey Weir. Fletcher. KT. Peter Cormack.

This is depressing. Gonnae go and have a cry to myself.

**Unseen work** · 04-03-2014 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by TheFamous1875

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Kevin Thomson and Sam Stanton are the immediate two who spring to mind as good passers with a good first touch. They get in situations where they can use these abilities, whereas most of the rest of the squad wouldn't dare get in a tight situation as they'd lose the ball immediately.

Robertson, Nelson, Craig, McGivern, Cairney (who is skilful) all show a lack of composure almost every time they have the ball. As soon as they get it, it just bounces back off them and they have to chase it down! The fact that professional footballers regularly have trouble controlling the football is embarrassing and confusing.

I've not played football since I was 14, (I'm 23) but whenever I go for 5s (few times a year sporadically) my touch comes back after the third game or so, and it puts these professionals to shame as they play and practice 3-4 days a week for most of their lives.

For me, the trick is to be very gentle with the ball. Let it 'cushion' off your foot when having your first touch. Take all the power out of your foot and let it come to you. You're merely supporting the ball, not kicking it.

It just riles me as these guys obviously don't think it's worth being worked on.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Playing in a high tempo spl game is a bit different to a game of five a sides with a ton of time tbf