Well they can stop var and we will be back to refs and Lino’s with fans moaning about wrong decisions or we can have var and moan about the officials interpretation. Not sure what is best but nothing; even video replays is full proof.

Personally I'm in favour of VAR, but I think it might help if people knew at the time what they were basing their decision on. I also think if the decision isn't instantly clear from watching the replay then they should go with the on-field decision. When they watch things back 20 times it gets ridiculous as it's clearly not an obvious error.

At our game VAR was quick to rule the goal out as Willock clearly smashes into Guaita with what appears to be minimal contact from Mitchell. The referee gave numerous free-kicks to Fraser and Almiron when there was little or no contact and failed to book Almiron when he dived at the end of the first half. He gave little to nothing to Wilf, including when Trippier chopped him down with a knee-high tackle. I think the ref was intimidated by the atmosphere and VAR helped him reach the correct decision.

I am not privy to any information which indicates that the referee was "Intimidated", however I will assert that he is inexperienced at PL level, only officiating in 6 games the first of which was last season when he refereed our home game against A.Villa , a match we lost 1-2.

Edited by Willo (05 Sep 2022 11.32am)

what I can't understand, is that how anyone (outside of newcastle) thinks that's not a foul on Guaita.

I don't think there is enough evidence to suggest Mitchell pushed him. More likely is that Willock overran the run up to such a degree that he took Guaita out. Mitchells involvement could easily have been minimal.

If you rest a hand on another - even with the lightest of touches, once that person moves away from you, your hand will naturally follow him. Too often this is seen as a 'push' - and for once, on Saturday, I thought actually the correct decision Was made, there was no force in mitchells contact with Willock.

Now, I'm normally one of the wierdos that doesn't mind Shearer on MOTD, but his view on this(and all things newcastle) is SO unbelievably biased. GL et al knew he was upset about it - (like any self respecting Geordie was) and let him spout this prejudiced rubbish unfiltered- with no attempt or inclination to counter, or try to suggest what the ref was thinking.

to me, VAR worked on this occasion.

"It was a Team effort, I guess it took all players working together to lose this one"

I think the review system that cricket uses may be a better option going forward, whereby each team has 3(?) reviews instigated through the captain when they want something reviewed. Thereby it's up to the teams whether something is reviewed, not some muppet locked in a cupboard somewhere.

hats off to palace, they were always gonna be louder, and hate to say it but they were impressive ALL bouncing and singing.

We wouldn't need VAR if the laws on handball and offside were simple and clear to all.

Handball - deliberate arm to ball.

Offside - foot in front of the last man, at the time the ball is kicked.

I watch our other youth teams, the championship, I never miss VAR.

Refs do make mistakes, so have clear simple rules to make their task easier.

We wanted VAR to work but it didn't, and everything we have done to make it work has made it even worse.