Huge answer, this should be top. Pitches at the top level are a big percentage weaved artificial, to prevent boggy pitches. You won’t get that swamp level that we used to get, so had to often either avoid the midfield entirely, or just get it wide and get it into the middle late.
This helped a bigger striker, or a faster striker (or 4-4-2, big man little man).
This was particularly appropriate in England, with the huge changes in seasonal weather and levels of rain, with the poor type of grass too. Literal swamp pitches. Growing up, there were games called off because half of the goal mouth was underwater. Can’t play high press, high speed passing through that.
Huge answer, this should be top. Pitches at the top level are a big percentage weaved artificial, to prevent boggy pitches. You won’t get that swamp level that we used to get, so had to often either avoid the midfield entirely, or just get it wide and get it into the middle late.
This helped a bigger striker, or a faster striker (or 4-4-2, big man little man).
This was particularly appropriate in England, with the huge changes in seasonal weather and levels of rain, with the poor type of grass too. Literal swamp pitches. Growing up, there were games called off because half of the goal mouth was underwater. Can’t play high press, high speed passing through that.