[Muse]

'Pullback' configuration:
High protection shield troops placed fully forward center, set to Guard Commander. (Commander at back corner.)
High damage troops middle, offset left or right, set to Hold and Attack Closest. (If commander is left, troops are right. No double meaning.)

The independents will all lock and follow the forward picket (archers included,) allowing your armor cutting units to smash the flank of a positionally staggered army.
It has the added bonus of likely negating the lances if timed properly.