I don't know if it's about formation. 4-4-2 ND or similar formations from the middle (4-3-3, 4-1-2-3, 4-3-1-2) are classic.
I 'm not playing anymore 4-4-2 nd, even if my oppo has a wide defense OF 3 (DL-DC-DR), cause I 'm afraid that my STs gonna stuck.
And it's not the quality of the players. They are good. For example
my main ST, when playing in "easy" games vs very weak or abandoned teams, in some games is effective. When playing vs normal 5* teams, he's doing nothing (and gets a 7 ).
His stats bellow, are fake. I use him also as a F-K (he is good at that) & penalties specialist to keep his stats good.
Click image for larger version. 

Name:	bad ST day16 Mavros.jpg 
Views:	86 
Size:	83.5 KB 
ID:	56539

He is another ST, I gave him also AMR position. When paying as ST, it's a failure
Click image for larger version. 

Name:	bad ST day16 Zindros.jpg 
Views:	86 
Size:	84.4 KB 
ID:	56540

and another ST, I also gave him AML. The same, also failing as ST
Click image for larger version. 

Name:	bad ST day16 Samaras.jpg 
Views:	86 
Size:	82.6 KB 
ID:	56541