Marginal gains is the name of the game for the Amex-based grounds staff who pull out all the stops to get the most out of their pitch.
By the time we all get to see it on a matchday, it's difficult to gauge the meticulous detail that goes into ensuring that the Amex turf is to the highest standard.
Lead by pitch and grounds manager Steve Winterburn, the stadium-based team - who also look after the women's team's pitches Sussex University - has been strengthened by the arrival of head grounds person Phil Fifield, who previously worked with UEFA and FIFA.
The team they are part of oversee pitch preparations, and they leave no stone unturned.
“It's important to have a good line of communication with the people who go out and play on the pitch,” Fifield said. “We speak with the first-team management to understand their requirements. Typically they want a fast and flowing surface to play their brand of football. To help support that we undertake several inhouse pitch tests throughout the week.
“We test for firmness, moisture content, ball roll speed and surface traction.
“Surface traction tests how well the surface can cope with the level of football that's going to be played on the pitch. Ball roll tests means we see how far a ball will roll from a 40-degree angle from a one-metre high ramp, and that's testing ball distance travelled, along the cut of the grass and diagonally. That helps us to understand how the ball is likely to interact with the pitch on a matchday.
“Moisture tests help us understand the health of the pitch, but it also gives us that slick surface so the team can zip the ball across the pitch to play their attractive style.
“To supporters, a match is won over 90 minutes but for the grounds staff it is won on percentages and millimetres and it's those fine margins that we look to help the first team with as much as we can.”
By the time kick off comes all eyes are on the grounds staff to see if the graft they've put in has paid off.
“Our ultimate goal is to make it the carpet that people expect it to be. Typically every matchday the spotlight is on the pitch and therefore on the grounds staff who take great pride in their work.
“The grounds team we have here want to give the players the foundation to go out and play to the best of their ability. Attention to detail and finding those fine margins that people are accustomed to in the Premier League is what we work towards.
“It’s been great joining a team that functions well already, works to such a high standard and shares the same ambition and passion for how they want things to be. I am enjoying having my own pitch to work on again, and one that has as impressive surroundings as the Amex. The grounds team here have been working extremely hard throughout the season and put so much hard work and dedication into the pitch. It makes my life a little easier knowing I have such an excellent team to work with.”
This week marks the Ground Management Association's Grounds Week, highlighting the superb work that goes into making turf up and down the country look its best.
We spoke to the grounds team based at the training ground yesterday about the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has created, which you can read more on by clicking here.