Accrington lead counter culture across 'The 92' | OneFootball

The art of turning defence into attack is tough to master, but Accrington Stanley have managed it better than anyone based on their counter-attack stats this season.

League Two’s Stanley may currently find themselves at the wrong end of the League Two table, but their ability to spring forward and strike on the break has been seriously impressive.

With six goals via counter-attacks this season, Accrington have scored more from lightning-fast raids than any other team across The 92. Veteran winger Shaun Whalley was the latest to net in this fashion against Tranmere last weekend — latching onto a channel ball down the left flank after a defensive mistake and finishing with aplomb.

John Doolan’s side were pegged back in the second half and had to settle for a 1–1 draw, but six counter-attacking goals this term provide clear evidence that Stanley pose a real threat even when defending deep.

In Premier League terms, Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth are the top-flight team most in tune with ‘counter culture’. The Cherries have become one of the division’s hardest-pressing sides under the Spaniard, yet they also excel when springing rapid attacks from their own half — as their five goals on the break this season testify.

Still, no team in England’s top four tiers can currently match Accrington’s record in this area.

The challenge now for Stanley, who are 21st in the table, is to increase their threat from more conventional open-play situations — only three League Two sides have scored fewer open play goals excluding counters — and from set-pieces, with just one goal to date from corners, free-kicks, or throw-ins.

For the full rundown of teams with the most counter-attacking goals this season, check out the Playmaker graphic below.