Benoit2

I've used the search to find threads with "counter attack" in the title, but the results didnt really give me the answer Im looking for, so Im creating a new thread to get people in to share their experiences with the counter attack tickbox.

Let me first give the definition in the manual:

So from what I can gather, it does two things. Invite your opponent and then hit them on the break quickly.

What if Im already playing with closing down rarely and a deep defensive line (inviting pressure) and play quick and direct (and down the flank) (hitting the opponent on the break quickly)? What kind of influence does the counter attack option have then?

Also, if you're not playing with closing down rarely, but say often instead, how can this work with the counter attack option? (if it works at all) It looks contradictory to me.

How would playing short, quick, wide and counter attack work? (together with playing deep and rarely closing down). This will obviously mean I would be soaking up loads of pressure (no problem), but what about passing? On the one hand I play short, on the other I play counter attack. Given a decent opportunity, how often will the team commit to a counter-attack, and how often would they just keep it short?

In theory, those tactical instructions look excellent to me. When the other team dont have many men behind the ball (therefore there is a lot of space) I want to play direct, but when they do have men behind the ball, I want to play short. You cant specify passing by scenario though, and playing mixed is more random rather then specific (per scenario), I would think.
Would playing short and counter-attack give me what Im looking for?

Saintjonny

I am interested in the counter-attack style though i dont think its a style to be used for every game every 90minutes.

I played with the idea of getting the ball forward quickly so Id given my team mentality first notch on attacking, direct passing and mixed mentality. Other thing i done was to have no players run with the ball except maybe my best 17+ Dribblers. It got the ball up the park quick enough but players have to have good anticipation and decisions with a bit of passing and pace thrown in for good measure.

Ive not done much with the idea of closing down, currently im trying my back four on Max Closing Down with the rest of the team just on often. Works ok.

Saintjonny

first line second paragraph i said mixed mentality - i meant mixed tempo

Tafse

Short passing should work well with counter attacking in my opinion. Theory beeing that my team attack like a bolt of lightning if the oppurtunity is there, but otherwise play it short and patient trying to create an opening to exploit.

Benoit2

More people with an opinion on counter-attack?

ubos

Self explanatory, it draws the opposition into your half and then when you regain possession, you take them on a quick break. Works best on long passes imo. Your defence wins the ball back, send a long ball over the top to the other half, and your speedy striker beats the offside trap, runs onto the ball and have a decent 1-on-1 chance with the keeper while the opposition defenders struggle to chase your speedy striker.

Short passes wouldn't work well with counter attack imo, leave it on mixed at least so that counter attack would work better. Unless your team has a superb midfield passer who excels in through passes, I doubt short passes work well.

I think closing down doesn't contradict with counter attack imo. In fact, I think there's nothing wrong with employing both. Closing down in your own half allows you to absorb pressure, yet possibly regain possession and then initiate a counter attack.

Ayien Parlour

conter-attack...deep defensive....quick tempo...mixed passes...often closing down....target men...these tactic so far working well for me...i'm managing spurs since 2007 till now 2014 & yet cruising me into a lot of winnings....had won 2 EPL in a row in 2012 & 2013

Warrenwwr

yea counter attack is really nice .

when i use it, i play deep def line, but global attacking mentality (so they get the ball up the park). also, if i'm against quality team, or weather is poor, long + quick passes work a treat. i always play narrow, especially with lower league teams, with target man and passing through centre (cause with llm, tech ability such as dribbling and crossing are shall we say nonexistent)

helped me beat chelski in the final (albeit mourinho chose to field a lesser team with only ballack, lamps, essien, terry, cech and acapandie....) of the fa cup with lancaster 5th season :thup:. i played my most physical squad, and i mean they were only physically a match for chelsea. goal on the counter in the last 2 minutes...gosh llm rules.