I'm lvl 5 using quite similar players. My team avg is 41 and I'm yet unbeaten in this season (few times I've been a bit lucky...).

4-4-2 normal/attacking, mixed passing, both flanks, normal tackling, up arrows wings, sometimes side backs and strikers
4-4-1-1 normal, mixed passing, mixed/centre, normal tacking, up usually LM/RM and striker

hope this helps