Any 'V' formation (4-5-1V, 3N/W-5-2V) needs a rock-solid player as DMC and two high-quality wingers as AML/R. If you haven't got those, then the formation doesn't do as well as it says on the tin. My record this season against ND is about the same as in previous seasons, but the games have been harder and closer, so Nordeus may have tweaked the V formation a bit.

4-5-1V is better played as a defensive formation, using Defensive mentality, or Hard Defensive if opposing team is much better.
3N-5-2V is a bit more offensive, play with Normal Mentality or Attacking if opposition is much poorer.