one of the things people miss is to evenly distribute the troops through out all barracks
(100 arch in ten barracks is better than 101 in the same number of barracks)
also set up troops 24hrs. a day you got 9 slots for a reason
troops qued over SM and while you are at work are key
a city with 4 cottages and 20 barracks works for mechanics
while 6 cottages and 17 barracks are better for warriors, archers and scouts
always use the same hero for troop queing and always farm with it too
(que a batch then send it out and que another when it gets back)
being on a SM is also a must for the number of troops I keep