Very early on I try to get FMAA as fast as I can, and they form an important part of my army. If the enemy is mostly spearmen I also dismount some of my knights to get even more spear-killers. My main line is usually a mix of spears and polearms (militia units and halbardiers). Then I have gaps in the line for the small bodies of dismounted knights or men at arms to charge through in wedges. Good swordsmen eat up enormous amounts of enemy spears and militia.