I was completely indifferent that Pershing was not in the game. And yes, I will continue to believe that the Black Prince has no place in the game. The game is based on World War II, you take the time period you take its limitation. Do you want the Black Prince? Go to Operation Unthinkable and alternate history. You can add anything there: Black Prince, Centurion, Tortoise, T95 everything that did not get into the war. Leave WWII with WWII units.
None of us play COH because we think it is historically accurate. I'd play the much more realistic snooze-fest called Steel Division, then just arty and rocket the shit out of Axis heavies when I play allies, or faust Shermans with their paper-thin armor when playing Axis.
All of the factions need heavies as damage sponges, particularly in the larger game modes. It has nothing to do with historical accuracy.
Relic is trying. I'd rather they not add new features and worry more about making the existing ones less buggy but they're probably thinking that a new game needs new features.