Teams that play with attacking mentality and some sort of target man role APPEAR to be playing counter attack. Or at least, what people think counter attack is. the target man role is crucial, as you win the ball and immediately send it to the target man. Closing down more, direct passing, high tempo, that's all fit for attacking play, not counter attacking.
Counter mentality means a more CAREFULL style of football where men are kept behind ball. It has nothing to do with direct balls or high tempo or more closing down. It's all about inviting pressure upon yourselves through short passess, and then sending a direct ball forward when opponent has commited enough players forward. If opponent refuses to commit players forward, you slowly build your attack again through short passess. So counter mentality is actually more fit for a work ball into box approach and low tempo.
Hope this helps.
Cheers!
Counter mentality means a more CAREFULL style of football where men are kept behind ball. It has nothing to do with direct balls or high tempo or more closing down. It's all about inviting pressure upon yourselves through short passess, and then sending a direct ball forward when opponent has commited enough players forward. If opponent refuses to commit players forward, you slowly build your attack again through short passess. So counter mentality is actually more fit for a work ball into box approach and low tempo.
Hope this helps.
Cheers!