Is bigger better?

[milestones]

Having seen a lot of Wembley on TV over the last couple of weeks it would be interesting to consider how the size of the pitch can effect different teams.
The Wembley pitch has the reputation of being very large, but actually is 8625 sq. yds which is not much bigger than the average premiership side pitch.

Average League 2 pitches tend to be smaller than that but the variation between them is huge, ranging from new arrivals Crewe, according to the Football Ground Guide at a postage stamp sized 6600 sq.yds to Leyton Orient at a massive 9200 sq.yds. (our’s is 7992 sq. yds)
Would a match at Wembley between those two for instance give one of them a big advantage?
Maybe there are considerations in favour of a smaller pitch, but more likely the opposite, as one lot of players is going to have to cover considerably more distance during the game than they would be used to for 50% of their matches.
Peak fitness obviously then is a major factor, but there must be other considerations such as style, openness of play etc .

Referring to one recent encounter at Wembley, the pitch size of our friends at the New Lawn is 7700sq yds whereas Grimsby’s Blundell Park is a lot nearer to Wembley at 8325 sq.yds.
Not that FG would want to make excuses for the result of that game of course. Anyway they apparently weren’t too bothered about losing because so we are told they all had a jolly good day out and are going to win the league next year anyway so no problem.

Interesting video here by Pat Nevin on the very subject of pitch size.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22646131" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[horlickfanclub]

When I wur a lad you were told to make to ball do the work. With our players ability to pass the ball a big pitch would suit us. More space,better angles favours a team with ability.

[RegencyCheltenhamSpa]

Exactly, we saw when we struggled at home against the part-timers that if they crowed our small pitch and they looked dangerous when hoofing up to a slow unfit striker. They couldn't do that on a big pitch where the likes of Dayton, Munns, Holman etc would have rinsed them and their workhorse up front would have been lost in the space.

Why do you think you see a lot more fat old blokes playing 5-a-side than 11-a-side!

[Malabus]

It must be pre season. What are going to talk about next...the size of our bike sheds, which I can tell you now we would be relegated by Xmas.

[Robin]

Agree this current team is suited to a bigger pitch however the team John Ward had was more suited to a smaller pitch.

[everyman]

Agree this current team is suited to a bigger pitch however the team John Ward had was more suited to a smaller pitch.

Steve Cotterill often paced out from the touchline to penalty area to check pitch width.

[longmover]

Agree this current team is suited to a bigger pitch however the team John Ward had was more suited to a smaller pitch.

How come we were so awful against eastleigh (away), we looked lost on that pitch.

[paperboy]

Agree this current team is suited to a bigger pitch however the team John Ward had was more suited to a smaller pitch.

How come we were so awful against eastleigh (away), we looked lost on that pitch.

Not sure it was the size that troubled us,more the depth of it

[RegencyCheltenhamSpa]

Indeed. The 'pitch' was awful. Space on the pitch means nothing if the mud and sand and trenches mean players can neither run nor play the ball on the ground.

[horlickfanclub]

The Manager's garden has more grass on it.