I've managed turn the tide for now, got taras back. I've rebuilt my army, my main battle line consisting of spartans and hoplites (in the phalanx formation), with flankers being mercanry samnites and some more hoplites.

Also using my peltasts different as they wasted their shots usually in the front of a unit, killing hardly anything. Now I save them with fire at will off and run them round the back to try and cause maximum damage.

Instead of hippeis i've brought over some of the successor cavalry, seems to be doing the job and i've noticed the difference, can't seem to recruit them in sicily or in italy though, so i assume i'll have to boat them to ambrakia to retrain them.

I turned the tide in a few close battles, one was a loss and the second i managed to win just, but it wasted their best general and alot of their elite troops, now i outnumber them in most battles and they're having to recruit cheaper infantry.

Cheers for the advice everyone.