If a manager knows how the game works, he can "control" the challenge of the game.
I can say I have the control at 90% the last ten seasons.
As madflo said, you can go for a challenging season, an easy but boring season (as @ pat0812 made here https://forum.topeleven.com/top-elev...mpetition.html ) or something between.
It depends from the recipe - lol
6+8, 7+7, 8+6, 9+5 which I usually prefer.