Thought i would see what happens if i took Maloukees advice - change tactics.
So I took off my 3, 7 star attackers and highest scorers.- introduced some 4 and 5 star 18 year olds, put everyone in my half of the field - except 1 up front and went for Hard Defending. long ball, counter, back arrows on all but 3 players, against 1 of the best players in my league.
Result - He had 6 supporters at home to my 1. I got 32% possession - 6 shots in total for me compared to 18 for him.......and i won 4-0.
No amount of reasoning, logic or tactical competence would have made me do this - think that just about does it for me with the game.