try to give the smallest match bonus. in my experience, it really helps. i would even max match bonus for important matches or against better teams.
A small match bonus is better than no match bonus. I give bonuses 2.5k for League and Cup, 7.5k for CL. I do find it helpful.
Exeter FC - Season 2 (21.5)
Past 5 games: W - W - W - W -W
League:
Season 1 - 7th (someone should have warned me about illegal formations earlier!)
Season 2 - 5th (yeah, err, yeah. See above.)
Season 3 - currently 2nd