I never noticed changes in player's performance after change a number ...LOL....
The captain, dev's said that is just a visual thing, so... here the answer.

Then by my viewpoint, and as mentioned many times this game have a amount of little things,and is like everyhing affect a litle bit.
Is like a 10%, 10% 10%,,,, (I remember a recent post of % of victory factors started by me LOL) and if one do a good job testing, and one have a good eye to see what fail in the team, then, the succes appear.
Too I will repeat as usual that 1 player can win the 70% of a title. Experienced managers know this, and is good to have this idea writted in the front.
LOL
6th sense mate.