My tip would be to get a decent handle on the game before doing things like spending money on players and expansions. The first couple of players i purchased i overpaid for, and while being serviceable players, i could have spent my money a bit wiser.
Zylers training thread can also be quite helpful too, to set up a good training regime for your younger guys. He will send you personalised messages to help sort out the good and the bad in your team, really helped me out.
I started playing roughly this time last season, maybe even a little later and somehow i'm undefeated this season. God knows how that happened. But yeah, if you just learn game a bit before spending your hard earned cash, that will help give you a good jump start. Might be a little harder earlier on getting wins, but will help you to springboard later on!
If you need a hand with anything i'll try and help out, just BB-Mail me.