I did try 4-1-2-1-2 ND on 3N-2W-3N-2, and have lost on both occasion this season, having the better team (by at least 3-5 quality).
So perhaps some formation might not work for all. Or it could be tactics, but I doubt since I won last season mainly on ND.
I did manage to overcome 3N-2W-3N-2 using 4-4-2 classic and 4-2-2-2 Hex.