I enjoy defensive battles myself. I usually find good ground and place 3-4 spearmen in siltrom. Then I place archers/xbows behind to fire between the corridors with skirmish turned off. Then a unite of dismounted knights or two-handers on each flank followed by heavy cav. further out on the flanks. Works against most factions. I remember in MTW Chivalric Sergeants and Previse Xbows were my bread and butter.

However, playing against HA heavy factions I prefer to take the offensive with mostly cav. armies and archers/xbows very little spear or melee infantry involved.