is it me or is FM 13 really, really hard?

Given the game is not long out, I'd suggest the people moaning that it's 'too hard' will be those who found ways to 'beat' the game on previous versions. And those ways perhaps not working on this version.

Could it be that in this version, you actually have to use a bit of skill

RIP Corner Glitch

I've found FM13 much easier than FM12 so far. I've already much more success with it than I pretty much ever did on FM12.

I guess "easier" and "harder" are subjective to whatever teams you are playing as.

I found it hard at first, struggled with united getting beat 3 of first 4 games, but since then i've found it slightly easier, just tweak tactics and use more skill and take your time.

.....I've started running a 5-5-0 and found success, but that's hardly realistic.....

I'm also playing as United, currently 4th in the league in mid-January. I still there's either a little too much randomness, or perhaps it's just that teams with counterattacking styles are a little overpowered. I've had my share of 3 or 4 goal winning margins, but also games where my standard basic defensive tactics have lead me to concede 3 or 4 goals to awful teams like Wigan or Reading. Clean sheets seem rare.