I know he's not everyone's cup of tea, but there is no reason that Henry can not fulfill this roll if his remit is simply to win the ball and then pass it to the more creative players in the middle, LTC, Kranky, JB or Jenas, afterall that was primarily his roll in the 2nd half on saturday. That way it doesn't matter if its 4231, 4141, 41311 or any other variation the function is still the same, to release the players going forward. It could be that somehow Harold actually stumbled on the winning formular quite by accident and it now becomes the blueprint for the rest of the season....
You can argue about formation or rolls all day but from my experience it all depends on what the manager instructs. A 4-1-4 -1 can be attacking or defensive as most formations can, you normally play the one sitting midfielder to give freedom to all in front but if they are told to sit as well ... For me Harry is trusting the Midfield to cover each other which I don't think they are clever enough to do so err on the side of caution sacred to be caught out of position, when Henry comes on it changes because he is the the DCM (not saying he should start). Our attacking season can be simply summed up in two attacks funny enough both in the second half THE BAD - Austin through on goal, defenders did well to push him out wide, Austin pulled the ball back into a perfect position, nobody there ! 5 Ipswich players managed to get back there but not one QPR player managed to back him up. If you play one striker he has to be support from midfield else he is isolated like we have seen Charlie this season. THE GOOD - Austin shoots, OH MY GOD a midfielder backs up the striker and O'Neil scores. Whether this is because the manager is telling them to sit or they scared that they should be the one sitting not attacking only they could say, there are many formations and many ways each of those formation could be played all depending on the manager. I've been told not to over lap at any cost and at half time been told to get passed the winger when ever I could, simple things like this can change a defensive 4-5-1 to an aggressive formation with no obvious change in formation.
Good points. Totally agree. The manager dictates how he wants his players to play. Go out to win or go out not to lose.
