Have Reading ever been a successful counter attacking team?

[Cripple Creek]

One of the reasons I liked the McGhee side so much was the occasional Wenger-resque ability to counterattack. Apparently in Spain counterattacking is practically a dirty word. I am hoping with Gareth, Jem and Williams back we may be able to attack and break away at speed. Right now we are as about as full of the element of surprise as a dancing elephant.

[Fox Talbot]

1985-86. Basic 4-2-4 that could soak up pressure and break. Broke a few records too.

[Schards#2]

Surely, the championship winning side under McDermott??

[Sanguine]

Surely, the championship winning side under McDermott??

Exactly my first thought. That team was about quick ball into the forwards or down the channels, and attacking at pace.

[Elm Park Old Boy]

Just take a look at the win at home against Leicester (under Sven) where they had most of the play and we hit them with hyper-paced Kebe breaks.

[Aubery Boyce]

1985-86. Basic 4-2-4 that could soak up pressure and break. Broke a few records too.

Does Long ball hoofing = Counter attack?

[Blue Blood]

Surely, the championship winning side under McDermott??

Exactly my first thought. That team was about quick ball into the forwards or down the channels, and attacking at pace.

This but also for me the 106 team. Marcus Hahnemann was near on POS that year. Made some important one on one saves and often then would very quickly recycle the ball, we would go up the other end and score

[Hendo]

Agreed the 106 team.

[SPARTA]

Surely, the championship winning side under McDermott??

This! How we won promotion soaking up pressure like we did and hitting on the break I don't know, but it was effective.

[melonhead]

.Have Reading ever been a successful counter attacking team?

yes.

[Vision]

Definitely the McD Championship winning team.

The 106'ers were a glorious hybrid really which was the secret of their success.

I always felt we used to exert pressure in an almost "Power Play" type of way where we would take the initiative and go all out attack for 15 minutes or so at a time. We'd then sit back for a bit, let the opposition have the ball whilst still having the capacity to counter if the chance allowed. Then as if a switch had been flicked we'd go all out and dominate for another spell.

Man, that was some team.

[Gordons Cumming]

We used it to good effect when Nicky Forster was in the team.

[Sport Economist]

Under Pardew (I think) in the 2002-3 season, we had a few matches which fit this bill - notably 1-0 wins at Brighton, Gillingham and Palace with 4-5-1 deployed and Nicky Forster the usual lone front man. Therein in a nutshell is evidence of when this can be used as a tactic - Forster had searing pace whearas our current striking options do not.

[Ouroboros]

We used it to good effect when Nicky Forster was in the team.

That Forster goal at Brammal Lane when Tyson ran the length of the field in about 10 seconds right from a cleared corner. Awesome.

[Forbury Lion]

Agreed the 106 team.

We also played to the strengths of the multi-ball system at home, not giving opposition teams a chance to rest - I think Neil Warnock even complained about it/used it as an excuse when we beat his side.

However, the fitness levels of that team were outstanding and the management instilled a never give in attitude and belief in the players, as typified than in the 7-4 defeat to Portsmouth (bad example as we lost), but we never gave up even when we were beaten. The opening day game against Middlesbrough was another example.

I think the difference is that back then we were always looking to attack, not necessarily counter attack, whereas now we are looking to keep possession.

Under McDermot we didn't have a lot of possession, he was happy for the opposition to have it in areas it wouldn't hurt us and then we won it back we'd counter attack..... If we didn't let them have the ball and move forward with it we wouldn't have had the chance to counter attack.

[Hendo]

Agreed the 106 team.

We also played to the strengths of the multi-ball system at home, not giving opposition teams a chance to rest - I think Neil Warnock even complained about it/used it as an excuse when we beat his side.

IIRC it was after the game v Southampton at home which was on the TV where the manager complained about our use of the multi-ball system.

[Vision]

I seem to recall George Burley having a good cry about our ball boys/girls around that time.

Nothing new though, Steve Bruce had a good a good whinge in the Forster play off semi about us recycling the ball too quickly.

[peterroyal76]

Surely, the championship winning side under McDermott??

This

[Ian Royal]

So to summarise, yes. In fact, for most of the last 10 - 15 years.

[UpThePrem]

Surely, the championship winning side under McDermott??

This

100% the McD team. Probably the best example of this must have been Southampton Away. They dominated and we sucker punched them three times.