Crab - yeah, now yer talkin'!
In the real aircraft, as distinct from the theory classroom, the student's job is to select and hold an attitude. Various things are going to try to change the attitude, and Bloggs' job is to do whatever is necessary with the cyclic to maintain the attitude.
A bit like balancing a stick on your fingertip - he is trying to keep the tip of the stick steady, and moves his hand in whatever way is needed to achieve the result - no thinking necessary, just bluddy DO IT!