Sounds a bit worrying if they aren't really sure on a formation, if he is comfortable with it then he should surely be helping make tweaks and adjustments?
Kind of get the feeling that pre-season went something like this:
AV: So what we gonna do? We did well to get promoted but it was only the last few games where we really played well. Doyle's going to be 37 this year so what about switching to a 4-3-3?
MR: I really like having 2 DMs.
AV: But you can't play 2 strikers in a 4-4-2 that contains 2 DMs, we barely created a chance for 6 months last season.
MR: I want 2 DMs and it's my ball.
AV: (scratches head) Hmmm. What about a 3-5-2?
MR: Does it have 2 DMs?
AV: Sure!
(Couple of friendly defeats later...)
MR: I don't like this 3-5-2, you need world class defenders to make it work, not sure we're gonna pull this off in L1.
AV: What about that 4-3-3 then?
MR: Does it have 2 DMs?
AV: (sighs) ok, ok, what about 4-2-3-1, that has 2 DMs!
MR: (pauses): RECRUITMENT TEAM ASSEMBLE!!
(silence interspersed with regular mouse clicking)
MR: (Looks annoyed and walks over to Recruitment)
Chris Badlan: (minimises Candy Crush lvl 117 and looks up sheepishly) Yes Boss?
MR: I need lots of forwards or attacking midfielers who can play anywhere across a front 4.
CB: But we've recruited for 3-5-2 all summer and there's only 2 weeks of the transfer window left!
MR: (Places a briefcase on the desk and clicks it open to reveal half a million in cash) Look, here's half the McNulty money, get it done.
CB: (maximises Candy Crush) I'm on it Boss!
(Almost 2 weeks later)
MR: Chris! How's that hunt for a striker going?
CB: (minimises Candy Crush lvl 539 and looks up sheepishly) Yeah, I'm on it boss! Should be something announced tomorrow, so wear that same polo shirt you always wear for the handshake - you might need to iron it yourself though now Beavon's gone.
MR: (nods and wanders off looking pleased)
CB: (Looking nervous and muttering to himself)
Shit, shit, shit.
(Next day)