Re: Cross, Cross, Cross, Cross, Cross...
I broadly agree with you, but for me playing against skill move spammers is worse. It's more annoying, much more unrealistic, and too hard to defend against.
At least long ball or get it in the mixer style philosophy is actually a real thing in football and most lower quality teams do actually play that way.
Nobody in real football does a croqueta cancel into a running ball juggle leading into a rainbow flick then a dipping scissor kick from 18 yards. That's just goofy.
I'd also suggest the cross spamming is more on Pro Clubs (and probably co op) than single player modes because your 2nd team mate is making the striker run while you cross, which doesn't happen in one player as the AI runs are horrible.
I do use crosses a lot myself, but I don't exclusively spam it and yes playing against wingbashers is very annoying. In higher divs you really need 1 human at CB at least so they csn deal with far post crosses.
I'd only support crosses being underpowered if dribbling was also underpowered.