In this and previous season I was able to train up a couple of youngster GK's for Steve and David, this gave me a significant amount of extra money right in the middle of the season. Yet, both seasons my team significantly underperformed while I really didn't notice any improvement being able to spend extra money. 

Starting money is worth a lot more as you can buy resources and still have something left for the first auctions, but I don't think that one or two seasons extra cash will give that more advantage. Maybe when you have a lot more cash then your opponents on a structural basis you might outperform them, but in my opinion, money is overrated. 

As for the front page reviews! Keep it going and do not decrease the rewards! I have done reviews quite a couple of seasons ago myself and it's nearly impossible to keep these things entertaining and fresh, while it also takes up a lot of time and effort. Much respect for the people doing these as it's a seriously underestimated task, quite thankless and well underpaid.