There is some good thoughts here... I do not understand how you could think that they could possibly "make it harder" if you don't buy tokens. I have SIX teams... I seriously buy tokens on ONE the others are farmed, and one is 35T league.. and they all have similar results.

I would say try changing from attacking to normal (or basically back down a notch from where you have it)
and up the physical stats on your STs to where the creativity is near the same as his shooting attribute.