Agree with this. Seeing its your first post, I won't try to put you down, but in general, most managers here have had that 26 0 0 thing going before, at least 1 season. If you can pull that 26 0 0 after a year (lets say season 13?) Then kudos!
Im at level 16, currently top of the league table with 15 4 1, having 99.1 avg quality (thats 5* going to 6), and guess the quality of the player at the bottom of the table? 98 Quality! Leagues will get tougher as you level, and token buyers don't necessary gets to be promoted in the next season.