Well Im in December 2nd season.
In the end my own unbalanced 451/4411 hybrid tactics (tweaked slightly to fit the awesome ball holding technique of AJAX squad) gave me the consistency I needed to win the league by 2 points (from Twente). I also won the Cup and the EURO (after stupidly not realising that a draw vs Chelski in the CL group would mean qualification and playing all out in the last 5 minutes of the match thereby losing it and qualification). The squad and my tactics (which are reactive -partly based on what I notice and based on what my trusted tactical advisor BATISTA DOS SANTOS suggests in matches) meant that it was one of the most enjoyable seasons Ive ever had on FM (first time I play as AJAX in my life).
But what made the season and the save even more awesome is the planning and implementation of a system of developing the plethora of young prospects I have. A bit of frustration also in bringing oldies such as PIERRE WOME with the correct mentality in the club with the sole purpose of tutoring players only to find that most of the times they refused to cos they didnt like the player I wanted them to tutor! Still people like Shilla/Benjani/De Vezze/Biava/Coppola/Benayoun were invaluable for this.
I also decided to experiment in the second season by going against all the advice I offer in my ASK UNCLE MAD thread to avoid second season syndrome to see what happens (basically I wanted to see if my "homegrown" quality players would override the problems but hey well they didnt: having won the super cup and euro super cup I started the season losing to teams such as Gronigen (0-4 at home), even Excelsior, Olympiacos in the CL (currently facing second exit from the CL group stage in a row as my last match is Barcelona at home and I need a draw), morale dropped to orange and even red for some players and I could not get a consistent run of wins until about end of October. Also in the cup the last two matches were against 2nd division opponents and I needed penalties in the first and extra time in the second). But Ive recovered and Im now only 6 points off the top albeit having played an extra match (with morale back to green due to a combination of training/match team talks/team meetings/one on. ones/friendlies with **** teams etc).
Sold Daley Blind (didnt want to but a 12 mil -I think- bid came in which I could not refuse)/Thulani Serero/Andersen (didnt want to but he was 21 and I couldnt find anybody to tutor him and his determination was 11 so for 10m to Man Utd he went)/Moisander.
Bought 2nd season: Walter Montillo (wanted an old head in a young team and one who could tutor people), Tin Jedvai (was on tranny list needed a cb/dm) who has been playing crappily my coaches are moaning about him so are my fans/Murru (needed a lb/rb)/Stanciu (again so an opening and got him for a nice price)/Carlos Fierro (bought him but I think he doesnt fit my tactics (one up top usually a dlf/s9)/Ocampos loan/Wilf Zaha loan. I also just closed a deal to bring in Kara (combination of solidity in defence and tutoring capacity) and the intention is that from now on unless its for under 16s/or oldies for tutoring I wont buy anyone again.
The reason I bought players instead of using my youngsters was fear (as happened a couple of times) that once I gave them matches they become more known than their intended tutors and therefore their development is stunted. But I do have 5-8 players that will be ready to contribute in the first team from next season, and comfortably. Bearing in mind that all squads are learning the same tactics I expect to have very smooth team cohesion from next season.
I may even start an "Ajax log" series of posts in my ASK UNCLE MAD thread but dont hold your breath ...