[Yskonyn]

Thank you all for the input so far.
Debate about going MP headfirst and skipping SP altogether have been numerous. I have never really played against the AI because most have advised against it, but after getting stomped early on in three PBEM games I am beginning to doubt this is the right approach.

What usually happened is that I am losing momentum. Losing focus. What is my plan? HOW do I execute it.
The HOW needs you to have a fairly good grasp of the game, which is hard to get diving into a PBEM game for the reasons I outlined in the OP (pacing being the most prevalent).

So I think its best to re-start in SP afterall now.
SsSam, thanks for the link to your rather extensive post. One question, though, was this written for vanilla or CBM?