You want tips, I'll give you tips!
1) Manage game shape. You should really only consider playing players who are respectable or above.
2) You can learn a lot by registering for the online forum and learning from the national team managers about what they consider when they set their lineups/tactics.
3) Its all about "D". Scoring can win you games, defense wins you playoff games.
Other than that I'd tell you to go and explore the forums and to read the game manual carefully. I still go back and read it every now and again to check on a thing or two.
Best of luck to everybody in your division.
O-Rod
ps sorry it took me so long to get back to you.