Henry Injury a blessing in disguise?

Thierry Henry has a neck injury and will not play against Bolton. That means Adebayor is likely to play as the lone striker. He is big, strong and a nuisance for defenders.

It also means we might see Walcott or Baptista after all as we will need to support Adebayor from midfield. The days of Ljungberg doing that effectively from the left, like his electric pace, have gone, which is why I would say Walcott is the obvious choice.

It's no secret that a 4-5-1 doesn't bring out the best in Henry.

It does however bring the best out of Adebayor and will help to strengthen our resolve and make us more of a unit. Everyone will have to step their game up and will give that extra 5% they didn't know they had. That's what was missing from our limp performance last year at the same ground.

With RVP suspended, Rosicky, Henry and Gallas injured it will need to be a good team performance to get a result.

However there are positives to be taken from the situation.

1. Senderos is better in the air than Gallas. Which will help us against their long ball game.
2. Ljungberg is well suited to 4-5-1 in a central or left hand side role which will minimise the loss of Rosicky. As long as we put in another attacking midfielder to help Adebayor. Ljungberg is more of a continuity player these days.
3. Adebayor is better up front on his own than Henry and offers more of a physical threat. He has scored a few goals and his goal at Old Trafford playing as a lone front man will mean he has confidence playing in that position. He can win headers and play with his back to goal.
4. RVP is wasted on the left in a 4-5-1 and it means that Baptista or Walcott can add something different.
5. Gilberto brings the best out of Cesc, Ljungberg and Baptista.
6. A rest from Henry will do him good and help his body recover for the Fulham game.
7. The younger players who feel they still have something to prove to Henry and that they can win a game without him.

Lucky 7! Let's hope we have some luck too. It's about time we did at the Reebok.