Anfield pitch size?

[Kopite82]

If we eventually move stadiums do you think we should increase our pitch size? These stats taken in 2007 says we have one of the smallest pitches 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

 

Are Rafa's tactics more complementary to a longer pitch?

 

Stretching our pitch may make it easier for us to beat teams when they come to Anfield with 11 men in their own half for 90 minutes!

 

Then again so could playing two strikers ;)

[JMARKH]

Excellent point but Rafa probably likes a smaller pitch most negative managers would I imagine.

[philyhamann]

Won't we be obliged to do so because of regulations?

[jackofdk]

Everytime I see the mancs play against the small teams at home, I can't help but to think that the sheer size of the pitch is a massive advantage to them. It's much harder to park the bus efficiently at a big pitch than at a small one.

[Maldini]

Yeah, our pitch is actually smaller than is allowed under CL regulations, but we get dispensation because the stadium was built so long ago.

[Kopite82]

"Everytime I see the mancs play against the small teams at home, I can't help but to think that the sheer size of the pitch is a massive advantage to them. It's much harder to park the bus efficiently at a big pitch than at a small one."

 

 

I agree mate. Plus if you play keep ball (our style) on a bigger pitch then teams get tired more quickly which leads to defensive mistakes or a team becoming dis-organised!

[JustTosh]

Everytime I see the mancs play against the small teams at home, I can't help but to think that the sheer size of the pitch is a massive advantage to them. It's much harder to park the bus efficiently at a big pitch than at a small one.

 

As much as I agree with you in principle, their pitch is only one yard wider than ours.

[Lucky Pierre]

They've (assuming they don't make a version 4) already decided how big the area for the pitch can be - I just hope they make full use of that area and don't leave the actual field of play as some little island miles away from the ad boards.

 

It wouldnt surprise me, just to make it a class 5 stadium. Im sure the only thing stopping anfield being one is that our stands are too close to the pitch

[Hooch]

You know what I love about this forum? No stone is left unturned, and we're just fans! Great stuff lads, it's actually a good point. As mentioned I don't think the pitch can be made any bigger due to the stands being so close. Everything about Anfiled is cramped!

[jackofdk]

As much as I agree with you in principle, their pitch is only one yard wider than ours.

 

Haha, that's what I get for not reading the original post properly! It looks well larger on TV though.

[Ramjet]

When they played Stoke they made it slightly wider, this meant they had more space to play in, but it also meant that Delap could not take a run for his throw ins as he would have had to run up the little verge they have which helps with the drainage.

[dirty_sanchez]

I agree. Good point. When we're trying to break teams down, we spread the play a lot. A larger pitch would help us create more space. Great post!