Early mk1 gear linkage set up. Please help

Hello everyone,

Forgive me if the whole world has already asked this question lol.

I've read through quite a lot of previous posts and searched online but can't find the solution.

I've owned my octavia for 5 years and pretty much since I've owned the car the gears have been notchy and sticky. I've done the usual things, oil change (twice now but have yet to use genuine vw stuff) replaced the linkage on the top of the gearbox. 3000 miles ago fitted new solid flywheel and clutch. Gears exactly the same. It seems an alignment problem with the linkage but can't seem to get it just right. My car is a 1999 with early gearbox and linkage. The cables don't have springs on them like the YouTube video shows?

Any ideas much appreciated