I dont think you should be struggling that bad at TH*, what army are you using?
I recently maxed a TH8 except DE troops, I mainly sat around gold 3 and used barch/all archers, and it really wasn't too bad at all.
I would try that, but to be honest you are going to get smashed by th9.
Attack fast, don't break your shield unless you can do at least 3 attacks or can't get online again till it runs out. Do your cheapest upgrades first, that way you sit on full storages less and once they upgrade they will protect you better.
How do you attack normally?
Oh and is your town hall in or out of your base?







