I'm
so in agreement over all of that.
This is why I was asking if anyone was enjoying the default speed (before I played the demo), because I felt like I was losing responsiveness on 2016 when reducing the speed, as well as adding in lots of slow-mo effect during gameplay when some of the animations were slow-mo to begin with (certain goalkeeper dives, for example).
I've been playing the 2017 demo exclusively on the default speed, other than one game I tried on -1 to see if it improved the experience for me, and it didn't. Truly, for the first time in years, this is a game I can enjoy on the default speed against the AI. It's realistically fast, I think - and the physics are spot-on too in terms of ball speed.
For those who think default is too fast - playing on Top Player instead of Superstar reduces the constant AI closing-down (which is a little bit of a nagging worry at the moment, but I think it's opponent-related), and that makes the gameplay less hectic. Of course, that might also make it too easy for you, but not for me, I don't think...
But also, totally agree about manual. If you enjoy playing that way then fair enough, and I'd hate to see them take options away, but for me, I'd rather have semi-assisted everything. It allows better attribute involvement*, and keeps the game from turning into a Flight Simulator-style affair of too much training for a game I get an hour a night to play.
*If I 100% nail the path of a pass or a shot, then let's see it, but if I'm 5% off with a great player, make it go 5% off. With a poor player, make it go 20% off.