Leedsfan,
Great post. I'm here mostly to pick up tips and move up from intermediate 3* levels. Given your transfer policy and not cheating by restarting games, your results were okay.
I used 2* for a season to pick up the game, try to use the space available in those games to learn the moves and accumalate points for transfers. Then moved up to 3* later in Div 1.
When I was winning consistently there, and I no longer had the default squad you kept faith in, I switched to 4*, and the next season to 5*. I had a good run of games then got hammered repeatedly when WEFA Cup opponents were soaking up my pedestrian attacks and beating me on the break - so I've switched back down again to try and work on my finishing and creativity in possession.
The differences in the COM's gameplay at different levels are really good, you see the COM starting to move the ball around more intelligently, making better runs, one-touch passing and little flicks, then punishing my own slack passing in front of defence.
Do take advantage of Free Agent transfers, as Zyg advises above.
I'd also look at applying some strategies that work for the default squad. I used 3-5-2 with one DMF having his Mark Settings on CV (e.g. Harty) - covering his space on the pitch rather than getting sucked too far out of position. For the other, I set his Attack arrows forward to use him as my main link between defence and attack.
The SMF had Attack arrows both up and down the wings, and two CF's had one lateral, to send them running along the defensive line while staying on-side, and the other to drop deep and receive the ball to feet.
All the rest of the 5* experts should have lots of good advice on that score...I'm looking forward to it:
What are the best tactics to use with the default squad, and what are the most effective techniques to get a result with average players? (not much point in relying on bicycle kicks!).
A lot of my goals with the default team came from using Cellini as my playmaker in either DMF or OMF, sliding straight passes in for Huygens and Ostwaut to run on to, usually knocking it past the COM's GK as he rushes out.
One thing worth working on is Corners, especially because you can use your SMF's to play for them during a game when the CF aren't available for a cross in open play.
Try using a Left footer on the right (and a rightie on the left), an in-swinger (about half power on O, with the Left between north and north-east) between the 6 yard box and near post will often get you a free header and goal opportunity. Try not to snatch at it by pressing [] too early.
Applying pressure on the COM's defence should force a few chances, and with 5 in midfield and maybe using Line Defence you may be able to press the COM team back into their own half for long periods, tiring their players while you look for an opportunity - don't try to go for gaps that aren't there, try to be patient and keep the attack going.
Good Luck.
