Stay close or back away from a 3rd ball attack

I'm a left handed shakehand player. I recently played against a right handed opponent who served varying levels of backspin at different lengths from his forehand to my backhand. When I push to his forehand they go long but not too high so I know he is going to attack. I immediately back up from the table to get more time to react but he will try to stretch me. He either goes cross court or down the line and based upon where I go, he will aim where I'm not. I'm still learning how to make quality returns, but until then, how should I prepare for a 3rd ball attack. 

Hi Mikey,

You are right the key thing is to improve your returns.  Try to make a topspin attack off his serve, this will change things a lot.

For now though I think it is best to stay close and try to Block the ball.  It sounds like he is winning a lot of these points anyway so it is worth trying something different.  Having you closer to the table may put a little more pressure on him as well.  It will also cut down the area you have to cover.