For me, I relied mainly on flank based formations rather than using a suitable counter. My counter was whatever I could think of best but using an AML/AMR and it actually worked. When I was up against a formation that was flank protected, I reverted to the narrow diamond.

So I mainly used 4-5-1v and the butterfly.

My tactics were:
Attacking mentality
Down both flanks
Own half pressing
Normal tackling
Mixed passing
Zonal marking
Counter: ON
Offside: OFF

RED arrows were always on my AML/AMR and my striker. Never used blue arrows and I recommend against using it. I would also recommend NOT using an offside trap as it's a pretty useless feature in the game. For anyone using the 4-5-1v and butterfly, start off with own half pressing, if you don't seem to be scoring then switch to whole pitch pressing. In some circumstances, using whole pitch can work against you so try not to use it all the time! (think getting countered all the time)