Perhaps try changing your formation? Use your best 10 rated players in their preffered positions (if they are DC/DR, then use DC since its the first position@the preffered position). Usually it would be easy to spot the weaker rated player, try swapping him out for another player. Its all experimental! We live and we learn, season to season. And like what Qambu Yaasi said, earlier seasons are easily won, as you go higher, there are more competitive teams/managers. I was once in a season where all top 7 league manager were token buyers, and all had well skilled and rated players. Although no gold for me that season, but I know from then, the future seasons will be tougher!