The nice thing about this game is you can buy a pair of 100k players and still lose to a more evenly balanced team with a lesser payroll. I tried going the expensive route with very little success, my advice to first time players is to construct a balanced team that are 8-9 man deep. They are easier to maintain minutes wise and you can achieve a better rotation. In the end, if you can afford to buy a superstar by all means go for it, just make sure that you prioritize defense with the surrounding cast. Trial and error are still the best teachers. Managing minutes are very important to keep your team in optimum shape.