Dealing with Modern players as a Classic beginner

Firstly, I appreciate the control options existing but will openly acknowledge I think it actually makes it difficult moving through the beginner ranks. My reason for that is that most beginner classic players won't have precise combos and, at least for me, the reduced move list seems less of an issue. I think the reduced damage does a reasonable job of evening things up.

That said, I certainly feel like I struggle a lot more against modern players. I think I am getting better at solving the issue by being patient, playing more conservatively and expecting if I make an error I'm going to eat a decent combo. But of course, as a beginner, I still make errors and I still get punished- and I feel like it is to a greater degree than against the majority of classic players.

So, two questions: am I right in playing more defensively? Any tips?

And: is this a good problem to exist in the beginner ranks? Obviously the gulf in combo execution between an Iron Classic and Modern player is pretty pronounced which can sometimes make matches seem a whole lot less interactive with more time spent watching the same combo on repeat. On the one hand I see it as a good learning exercise, preparing for later ranks and teaching that reckless attacks are going to be punished. On the other, I think Modern Ken needs to be fired into orbit. Am I alone in this?