wide pitch

[NEV]

with john wonting wide players is he going to have the pitch made wider so that they have more room for the winger to play or will he keep it the same size once the season starts he can not have it made wider just a thought 

[TheSage]

An interesting point. I would hazard a guess that it will stay the same if we continue to play a high pressing game and condense the space. He's only after one winger isn't he? Someone I guess with lightening pace because, don't forget, we have Worrall and Monty as well.

[Bradwell Exile]

Not so sure on widening the pitch, especially if he is going to go with a front three, as many suspect.  In a 4-3-3, the objective would be for one of your wide players to cut inside to get in the gaps between centre half and full back, while the other has the ball on the touch line, giving yourself a target near post/penalty spot, and one the far post/penalty spot. For me, I like the fact we've always had a larger sapping pitch, making it particularly difficult for opposing teams. I'd see it as an advantage, but I can see the flip side as to why he wouldn't want to do it.

[Fosse69]

Of course there is a negative to a wide pitch, it is sapping to the Vale players over a season, how many times have we finished a season on a downhill form (Before the last three)

[Santa]

I think any wide players we get in will be inside forward types who will be playing on the 'wrong' side and looking to cut in on goal rather than old school wingers wanting to go outside their man and whip crosses in

[Mario]

I think any wide players we get in will be inside forward types who will be playing on the 'wrong' side and looking to cut in on goal rather than old school wingers wanting to go outside their man and whip crosses in

The game has moved on from old school wingers hugging the touchline

[JAMO-IN-MEXICO]

Asp had it moved in as soon as he could for his own 'tactics'. Does anyone know what it went from to? Historically it's been as wide as 80 I think? Unsure of the rules today. Any refs about?

[Warren]

I want to see the pitch as wide as possible. My experience is that a big pitch makes for more exciting football as it favours the attack. 

On the fitness side of things, the pitch will be same for both teams. The fitter team is the fitter team, big pitch or small pitch. Watching Liverpool, Barcelona and Port Vale live last season there is a gulf between Port Vale and the other two, and particularly Liverpool whose pressing game off the ball is stunning. So, obviously there are massive resource differences, but there is more scope for Port Vale to work directly with fitness than worry about the pitch making a difference.

[Fosse69]

It is not only the size of the pitch but the firmness of the pitch, ours I think is on the soft side.