I am playing all season 1 st time, Mentality: Normal, Attack: Mixed, Passes: Short, Cons: NO!
In the 2nd half: if I already have it dominated, at most I change to long passes to look for more goals and if the match is closed.
Mentality: Offensive, Attack: (Depends on opposing formation: Mixed or Both Bands), Passes: Long, Cons YES!
So far, so good. And my various formations between.
4-2-2-1-1 (4-2-2W-2) or variant 3-1-2-2-1, 3-1-2-3-1
If you do not have DMC, I'll set you an AMC and if the opposite attacks with 2 ST I only put 1 DC and one DMC.
If you put 2 ST and 1 AMC, I have to defend with DR-DC-DC-DL + DMC.
That's how it works for me since last season.