I finally caved in and switched to Manual shooting. Chose Verona and set up the Italian league. Was going to go back down to Top Player but decided to try Superstar first.
As I suspected, the first games were bad. I couldn't hit sh*t. But I still enjoyed the game and especially seeing the ball just go miles of target which is something you don't really get with basic shooting.
First game was against Juve, 3-0 loss. Then Udinese, 2-0 loss. Then Sansagiulo (surely I could win this lousy team?) 5-1 loss. Hey, at least I scored a goal.
And then it happened. 2-0 win against Roma. Same result against Napoli, and I scored the most amazing long range screamer I have scored this year.
Next game, top team Lazio. 3-2 win.
I might be imagining this, but I feel that the AI actually scores more varied goals on this setting. But the biggest thing is the feeling when I score. It is hard as balls so scoring is so satisfying. I wouldn't have believed the difference before I tried.