It's all about respect. If the players can sit back and say that they have put in 100%, then if they have complaints, people will listen.
If you go out and get flogged by 186 points, and it's as plain as day that you're not putting in 100%, why should the FD/Board take too much notice?
It's like asking your boss for a payrise. They will ask what you have done to warrant it, if you say "well, I've been here for 6 years now", that won't cut it. You say I've regularly met these targets, achieved this and that, it gives you more fighting power.