[The Art of Counter Attacking]

What role are your wide men on?

My midfield looks like this

LM = WM(s)

MCL = CM(d)

MCR = CM (auto)

MR = WM (a)

Theres a bit of hole between the AF(a) (playing on the right of the front two) and the MC behind him. I'm thinking this is to do with the CMs automatic duty. I really want him to get forward and help the AF(a) out, but concerned about leaving the other MC to do all the dirty work...

[The Art of Counter Attacking]

Is an AF(a) incompatible with a counter-attacking system? I'm playing a counter-attacking 4-4-2 with Red Star (should walk the league - so trying to draw opponents out, underdog in Europe so trying to stay tight at the back). All is going OK at the moment using DLF(s) and AF(a) up front... apart from the AF(a) isn't getting many goals.

I'm beginning to think that using the AF(a) is keeping the opposition pinned back so he's not able to exploit the space in behind (he's a classic Michael Owen, fast, good dribbler and finisher but not good at linking up). If I change his role to something a little less aggressive, maybe we'll be able to draw opponents out and he can then exploit the space. Any ideas?

[The Art of Counter Attacking]

Great thread - thanks for kicking it off Cleon! Quick question - would you change anything if you were playing as a top side? I'm trying to make a counter tactic work as Red Star (planning on getting them to win the CL for a second time!), my logic being that a) I never have truly brilliant players that will consistently unlock teams that like to sit deep so I need to try and draw the opposition out and b) I'm going to be outclassed in the CL so counter makes sense there ( plus by using the same system domestically and in CL I'm not asking the team to learn multiple tactics.

Any thoughts most welcome!