Yes, next season you 'll have a better program.
Ball possession is just another one factor that affects the victory but not the most important.
Friends supporting is more a psychological factor than something really useful
The presence of the manager is critical most of the times. Of course the manager must take the right decisions
Meanwhile (supposing that you are from Europe), try to make some friends from this region - also there are many players from Egypt & Turkey.
Avoid making friends from America (there are many players from Brazil) and Asia (Indonesian and Thai)
The game is setting "friends" in the same league.
and of course avoid friends with super teams (6* players with special ability). They are T buyers and will make your life difficult