This is not always true. In a recent game. I diversified across all scoring categories to pull out a surprising win against two formidable players, one focusing on Engineers planting his tokens on the extreme stations, the other focusing on craftsmen erecting the big ticket buildings. Admittedly, it does require to adapt (as any good game does) and make sure your opponents are not able to have the ultra-scoring opportunities that blends with their focus. But you should be able to see that from afar and appropriately plan.

No. Not as such.

I did notice this, but I haven’t seen the lack of any significant catch up mechanic seriously annoy players. Often you don’t specifically know the relative positions of players in points except for doing mental math, remembering the cow cards and other points players have collected.