Are we at our best as a counter-attacking side?

[johnnydawg68]

Yes totally suits us counter attacking, problem for us is when teams sit back, hence the need for the elusive number 10.

Then we need to press higher up the pitch and turn over possession.

 

[Tubey]

Then we need to press higher up the pitch and turn over possession.

Which means not playing two defensive midfielders at home.

If teams want to play deep, punish them for it with a high tempo.

 

[Axlswhk]

absolutely yes. I've been saying this for ages too, this team is build for counter attacking and we'll be unplayable if we counter attack. Playing in this style bypass all our flaws and killing many bird with one stone.

It is possible to counter when playing a weaker team too, ManU had been doing that for ages regardless of opponent, look at the way they play when they had giggs, sharpe, cantona, gillispie etc etc. They break forward with so much speed that it's impossible to defend. Liverpool 2 seasons ago was another fine example, No reason we can't do the same.

 

[Axlswhk]

Then we need to press higher up the pitch and turn over possession.

yes that's the key to everything, there is no way to win the ball and counter attack without pressing. Press and win the ball anywhere in the pitch and chances will open up everywhere if we counter with speed.

 

[Furey1878]

We can't sit back against most teams at home, though. Because that's what most try and do with us. But yeah, we get more joy when we play on the counter because we've got good attackers who'll damage teams when given space to operate.

A decent playmaker would help those players get the space and chances at home. Granted, the playmaker won't solve all our tactical short-comings but it'd be a great asset with respect to scoring past stubborn teams.

 

[Furey1878]

Then we need to press higher up the pitch and turn over possession.

Bingo. We were quite good at this in 13/14. Keeping teams camped in their own half and essentially wearing them down until the ball hit the back of their net. I wish we could bring that intensity back into our home games.

 

[Sy-]

Which means not playing two defensive midfielders at home.

If teams want to play deep, punish them for it with a high tempo.

Problem is: tempo is exactly what playing deep is set up to thwart because it stops you from getting in behind them from any angle, unless you have the central attacking interplay skills of Eden Hazard or a circa 2004 Arsenal team you can see why it's an often adopted system.

 

[Khalekan]

Counter attacking has to be based on sound defence in order for it to be successful.

We were superb across the back four today and Howard was great behind them.

So there was a springboard to launch those deadly counters.

The problem last season was the silly goals he kept conceding which meant we had to push forward and leave ourselves open to the counter.

In actual fact this tough run of fixtures might work to our advantage as City will come at us next week and Spurs the week after.

Just keep that back door shut for long enough for the speedy forwards to hit them with the counter punch.

 

[Toffeelover]

it's also how we upset Arsenal a season back.

 

[The Equaliser]

it's also how we upset Arsenal a season back.

And United last season.

Including today, that's 3 of the best performances under Martinez which have been achieved by being unpredictable on the day. It's not rocket sc....or something.

 

[CahillsCornerFlag]

Away from home, yes, against teams who set out to beat us. We should be feared.

At home, we should do what we're doing but pass it forwards instead of sideways and quicker rather than slower. Don't want to sound facetious but it really is that simple.

 

[Toffeelover]

And United last season.

Including today, that's 3 of the best performances under Martinez which have been achieved by being unpredictable on the day. It's not rocket sc....or something.

No. it's proper bleeding football.

 

[Verbal Kint]

Which means not playing two defensive midfielders at home.

If teams want to play deep, punish them for it with a high tempo.

Problem with not playing 2 defensive midfielders (Barry JmC) is we usually get exposed by pushing our 2 full backs higher up the pitch, I'm thinking Palace at home on the last 2 occasions.If Besic/Barkley was playing alongside McCarthy then think we would have a bit more going forward.

 

[Tubey]

Problem with not playing 2 defensive midfielders (Barry JmC) is we usually get exposed by pushing our 2 full backs higher up the pitch, I'm thinking Palace at home on the last 2 occasions.If Besic/Barkley was playing alongside McCarthy then think we would have a bit more going forward.

But we get exposed playing two, because we have no threat whatsoever to deter the opposition flooding us on the counter.

 

[Fresh Prince of Belle Val]

Yes and I think we are more suited to playing away. When the onus is on the home to attack. We struggled to break down Watford who had two very tights banks of 4.