I usually set up tactics that does good counter for opponent.
Few things I'd like to suggest you:
1) Check form of your players before tactical changes, they won't have effect if some player is out of form.
2) Change mentality according to opponents strenght; if opponent has equal quallity, then use normal, if he is much weaker, you could switch to attack.
3) Change passing to mixed. When your opponent has 5 mildfielders, you could try long passing. That is mostly useful when you have strong opponent. Watch passing % during the match and change it if % is low.
4) You can use red arrows on DL and DR, but when opponent uses formation with AML and AMR, turn off those arrows!