Our 'small' pitch

[Ed the Wool]

Have read a couple of posts recently suggesting that us having a small pitch might be contributing to a lack of trophies.

 

Just wondered if anyone had insights on this. Is it because the game is faster now? The players bigger? Interested in the thinking behind it.

 

Cheers

[Maldini]

Don't think it holds up, Old Trafford and The Emirates are the same width and Stamford Bridge is 1m narrower. They're all slightly longer but it's only by a few yards, don't think it'd make that much of a difference. Our home form has generally been pretty good too.

[Mike]

Have read a couple of posts recently suggesting that us having a small pitch might be contributing to a lack of trophies.

 

Just wondered if anyone had insights on this. Is it because the game is faster now? The players bigger? Interested in the thinking behind it.

 

Cheers

 

i'd love to hear those arguments

[Rory Fitzgerald]

We're not and havent been a "wide" team in ages

[kop205]

The players bigger?

 

f*** me, how much bigger do you think they are?

[Ed the Wool]

f*** me, how much bigger do you think they are?

 

A fair bit I'd have said. The game is much more physical now, I reckon there's probably 2-4 inches difference in players from the late 70's. Throw diet and physical conditioning in there, plus pace you get what I mean, right?

 

I didn't mean they were all like Ruddock...

[DJS]

People will probably dismiss this, but i honestly dont think that a lack of ballboys helps us, in terms of our play lacking tempo at times. I'm sure most of us have bemoaned how slow our play has been at times - and moments where the ball goes out of play and it takes 10-20 seconds to retrieve it certainly dont help if we're in a hurry and trying to keep the tempo quick.

[Big Red Machine]

I'm sure i remember reading we've got the 15th biggest pitch in the league.

[Red Kent]

Chelsea have to ask UEFA for permission to play at Stamford Bridge in the CL. Arsenal had to at Highbury and we did when we were in it.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Chelsea have to ask UEFA for permission to play at Stamford Bridge in the CL. Arsenal had to at Highbury and we did when we were in it.

 

Put down the juice and talk sense man !

[Cobs]

I'm sure i remember reading we've got the 15th biggest pitch in the league.

 

1. Manchester City, City of Manchester Stadium, 116 x 77 yards, 8932

2. Manchester United, Old Trafford, 116 x 76 yards, 8816

3. Blackburn Rovers, Ewood Park, 115 x 76 yards, 8740

4. Everton, Goodison Park, 112 x 78 yards, 8736

5. Aston Villa, Villa Park, 114 x 75 yards, 8550

6. Middlesbrough, Riverside, 114 x 75 yards, 8550

7. Arsenal, Emirates Stadium, 114 x 74 yards, 8436

8. Derby County, Pride Park, 114 x 74 yards, 8436

9. Reading, Madjeski Stadium, 111 x 76 yards, 8436

10. Sunderland, Stadium of Light, 114 x 74 yards, 8436

11. Wigan Athletic, JJB Stadium, 114 x 74 yards, 8436

12. Portsmouth, Fratton Park, 115 x 73 yards, 8395

13. Chelsea, Stamford Bridge, 110 x 75 yards, 8250

14. Fulham, Craven Cottage, 110 x 75 yards, 8250

15. Liverpool, Anfield, 110 x 75 yards, 8250

16. Birmingham City, St. Andrews, 110 x 74 yards, 8140

17. Newcastle United, St. James’s Park, 110 x 73 yards, 8030

18. Tottenham Hotspur, White Hart Lane, 110 x 73 yards, 8030

19. Bolton Wanderers, Reebok Stadium, 110 x 72 yards, 7920

20. West Ham United, Boleyn Ground, 110 x 70 yards, 7700

Read more: http://soccerlens.com/premier-league-pitch-sizes/3683/#ixzz1IJGvIkGc

 

[The_Adder]

Bigger pitch = more space = easier to stretch teams at home.

 

Thought that for years about our small pitch not allowing us to do this. The toilet looks very wide compared to ours meaning more space in attack allowing the team who attack the most (generally the home team) having more space in which to do it in.

[stressederic]

The old camera angle for MOTD & Sky used to make Bolton's pitch look massive. I'm stunned it's so small.

[Mike]

everton top of the table for width of pitch.

they're getting s***faced on the back of that on county road tonight.

[stressederic]

everton top of the table for width of pitch.

they're getting s***faced on the back of that on county road tonight.

 

The way Moyes likes to play, that width is just wasted space. They could put new rows of seating in there. Wouldn't solve the wasting of space problem admittedly.

Edited April 2, 2011 by stressederic

[JRC]

Wider than the Emirates, which complies with UEFA standards presumably, so it must be the length at issue fror CL

[carrafan]

The way Moyes likes to play, that width is just wasted space.

 

Just like all their players then.

[Cobs]

Wider than the Emirates, which complies with UEFA standards presumably, so it must be the length at issue fror CL

115 x 75 is the UEFA requirement

 

Actually it's 105m x 68 m, I think the yard conversion is rIght

Edited April 2, 2011 by Cobs

[Florist Cinema Pond Goal]

There was an argument that Arsenal would not do as well away from Highbury as the smaller space suited their quick passing game which was big on running but their record since leaving isn't much different to their last couple of seasons there.

 

Despite being 6th, we have the 4th best home record this season (1 point behind Chelsea who are 2nd in the home performance league). We just need better players.

Edited April 2, 2011 by Florist Cinema Pond Goal

[Buzz]

everton top of the table for width of pitch.

they're getting s***faced on the back of that on county road tonight.

There will be a DVD out at the end of the season too.