Returning player

So I've returned to the game from a extensive break and am trying to improve myself. Problem I'm running into is it seems like 3 out of 5 matches end in less than 5 minutes usually in a steamroll fashion with no more than 5 tanks loss on the winning team. Don't really remember this being so much of an issue when I last played but either way it's hard getting back into the game when matches end so fast. I try to keep up and do the best I can to assist my team but definitely not helping enough it seems. I prefer medium tanks, auto/auto reloader types. I'm a solo player, don't do clans due to my work schedule being all over and don't know anyone that still plays the game.

Currently at 12k games played and a 51% win ratio but feel I can do better. I just find myself getting outplayed or in bad positions. Basically just looking for some advice on what I can do to improve, maybe some recommended videos to watch. I watch skill4ltu videos but players like that just have so much more of an understanding of the game mechanics than I do its hard to follow sometimes.

Anyways sorry for the long post just got some downtime looking for pointers.