Terrible manager?

I've played one season with both Real Madrid and a mid-table team in the second division in Norway and with both saves I have a problem with the following:

Players don't get match fit - this especially happened with Ranheim in Norway, where I played ten pre-season matches within one and a half month with high level of intensity. By the start of april and the first game, only two players were 80% matchfit while others were like 65%. Why? The squad is small.

Tactics - I really haven't been successfull with any of my tactics. I consider myself as a experienced Football Manager-player, but this year I've not been successfull at all. The players are playing in their strongest position and I usually play a 4-3-3 with people behind the ball. What happens almost every game is that I lead 2/3/4-0 and then the opposition scores like 3 goals in five minutes and I end up drawing or losing. This happens even when my players are match fit.

Is this a common problem? Or am I just a lousy manager? How can I turn this around?

What are you doing during pre season for training and what are you during during the season for training? During matches if you're winning 3-0 or 4-0 you should be able to see games out even if you're a rubbish manager. I'd say use your touchline talk to advise players to concentrate or tighten up. Also make your side more defensive and instruct them to retain possession, hassle the opponent more etc..

The training in the pre season focuses on strenght and aerobics with high intensity. Then, about a week from first competitive game, I ease on the intensity and focus on tactics. During the season I go light intensity with focus on defensive play, offensive and tactics.

Great tips, K3VO. Will be using the touchline talk a lot more.

I just saw Shedender's story "On a quest to be the best" where he just plays four pre season friendlies. How is that possible? Is there some kind of bug in my game which make the players never get match fit?

I played recently the second season with a team on the third tier in Norway (the same team as Shedender actually) where I played ten pre season games and the squad were like 65-80% match fit. Thats with playing every three/four days the last month or so before season starts, and with the 16/17 players in the squad, there should be plenty of time on the pitch for everyone. Is there someone who have a good tips with pre season training because I can't seem to get this right..

Here is the settings that I'm using:
General training: Fitness - very high intensity
Match preparation training: Tactics
The "slider" is set in the middle (50%). There's also times where I can't change this slider. Why is that?