losing against weaker opponents

[tongly45]

99 vs 90 doesn't mean 10% better, 27 and 18 doesn't mean 50 % better,
i would say that 99 vs 90 are the same as 27 vs 18, and the fact that you have 1 * is not something far.
Don't trust 100% counter formation, if you trust it be sure that you don't change anything till to end (even your team is losing).
condition at 30% is too low your players are tired, before the match you should have at least 80 % (green)
you should change money awards for match win.

[SimplySimon]

99 vs 90 doesn't mean 10% better, 27 and 18 doesn't mean 50 % better

Err... I think you ought to revisit basic mathematics

OP, I think you are right about counters, most of the longer serving managers are frustrated because the tactics that used to work don't anymore - but many are still doing well sticking to one basic formation and learning it's strengths and weaknesses, with maybe a few minor tweaks here and there

If the game has been tweaked, we all basically need to go through a re-learning process, so relying on the forum might not be the best way to go