The start you had in Premier League games... looks alike with what I was experimenting with my Leeds... win all the friendlies and then loose the first official games
In the last month all I did in my free time ( which is by the way in a very small amount) is to study tactics: guides, blogs , WJ posts from here etc. If I'll understand something out of it I'll do my best every time I can to help someone who is where I was/probably still am. So, in my very very very humble opinion ( and it's just my opinion and not an advice):
- you play a shorter style , intend to retain possession , get out of defense with a short pass rather than a clearance or a long ball forward but you also use a limited defender who is more intended to clear the ball and a target man ( in my opinion when using a target man the entire team should look quite often to bring the ball to him by long balls forward, crossing etc), The TM should also look to flick the ball but both the IF are on support duty and the AP(A) is still mostly a creator and not a runner so who would really benefit from the TM flick on? Maybe a F9/DLF/CF will be a better option? On the other side, maybe because you already have that AP(S) the IF will be more aggressive and more willing to join the box , acting like IF(A) - how does it look when watching games?
- Bojan will not be better suited to a SS/T role? One playmaker is not enough ? Why there should be two? These is simply something I'm asking because I personally don't get it ( also the T is a sort of playmaker-in my opinion)
- Van Ginkel may be better at creating chances than defending?
- that AP(S) , wouldn't he be more helpful as a DLP ?
- why do you use the offside trap? It's a standard mentality with not so high D line. You conceded a lot on the counter?
- you try to exploit the flanks but your team may be more naturally inclined to play through the middle because you have those playmakers there and no attack duty on the flanks?