Dang, that stinks about that striker. I agree with you about 4-5-1v being used mostly as a defensive tactic. I think Gizzmo's proposed are a very good one. I pretty much do the same, but use a defense mentality, but am going to experiment w/ normal mentality instead more often now. I'm really intrigued
In regards to the attacking V, although being rare it can be effective. It's basically a short passing game, designed to breakdown the formations of managers that are parking the bus. It goes something like normal/attacking, flanks, short, no counter, low press, normal, m2m, off.