I always play with 4-4-2 and the orders are all normal from the start mixed zonal and own half.
Then i change them if there is no balance in the statistics after the first half. If i am winning usually i don't change the orders but if i do i change this.
1. Possession ---------- If It is
50-50 i Still let my orders for team mentality Normal
60-40 Attacking or Hard attacking
40-60 Defensive or Hard defending
2. Total shoots -------- If i see that he has more shots when its 50-50 possession then i change on Attacking or Hard attacking
3. Shots on target ----- This depends of the team quality
4. Shot efficiency ------ This depends of the team quality
5. Passes completed --- This Depends of your Formation. I play 4-4-2 so that means i have 4 on middle and i play them mixed. But if i have 3 on middle i play with long or with 5 or 6 i play with short.
6. Free kicks ----------- This depends of the fouls.
7. Corners ------------- This depends of the Shot on target.
8. Saves --------------- This depends of the GK quality.
9. Tackles ------------- This is very important and very useful if u know how to play. If u start with Normal tackling and the difference between your team and the opponent is 50-50 then don't change. But if u lead like 60-40 then choose Easy, but if your opponent leads then u can go Hard.
10. Fouls -------------- If u see that your tackles and yellow card difference is equal its time to look in this statistic. Its very simple, if the other team makes more fouls that means that your team has better quality and if u are a token buyer then its a good thing if u put someone who knows to take a free kick.
11. Yellow cards ------- For this i have other tactic and its not the orders. I usually have 3 players (enough for mu sub: DC MC and ST) and if some of my players got a yellow i sub them asap.
12. Red cards --------- No one knows when u will get the direct red card so if u get this consider the game for lost or draw.
13. Marking Style ------ This i use just if i change the number of defenders. If i play with 3 defenders i go for Man-on-man, but if i play with 4 or 5 i choose zonal.
14. Arrows ------------ I only use them if i play against a illegal formation.
15. Focus passing ----- This depends of the formation. If my formation is 4-4-2 (classic) then i see the other formation. If i play with formation like mine i play mixed, if i play with 4-3N-3 i play with Both flanks.
or if the opponent plays with one flank from the left and two flanks from the right i will focus them to pass to right flank.
16. Pressing style ------ If i play with hard attacking or attacking i use whole pitch, but if i play Normal Defensive or Hard defending i choose Own half.
17. Other tactics ----- I use Force counterattacks only if i play Defensive or Hard defending, I play with Offside traps only when i use Attack or Hard attacking. And if i play Normal i turn them both off.
This is my tactic for playing the one and only formation 4-4-2 classic.
I always play open game without using so much Defensive or Hard defending.
And remember u can lose even with this tactics if the game decides you to lose.