WILDER: VAR HAD 7 VIEWS AND STILL GOT IT WRONG!

GIVEN what had just happened, it was a brave question that could have triggered an explosive response from the Sheffield United manager. ‘Chris, are you still a fan of VAR?’ That Wilder gave a measured response was either down to his restraint, or the fact this is September and we are nowhere near the end of the season, when such decisions take on greater significance. The battling Blades went down 1-0 to Southampton thanks to Moussa Djenepo’s sublime strike. But in the 75th minute, nine after the Mali international’s goal, John Fleck swung in a corner and James Ward-Prowse handled the ball. The Saints man may have shown no intent but his arm was in an unnatural position. The incident was sent to VAR but a corner, not a penalty, was the verdict. ‘I’m a fan of getting the right decisions correct,’ responded Wilder. ‘I don’t think that was the correct decision.’ But he was not about to call for the new system to be scrapped. ‘I suppose not being a fan of VAR means shutting it all down and not having another referee who has a different angle,’ said Wilder. ‘The right decision should have been given by somebody 167 miles away with about seven different views.’ Djenepo’s winner came from Ollie Norwood losing the ball but Wilder did not criticise his captain. ‘Ollie has sprayed the ball about the park for the last three years for us, played some of the best passes I’ve seen at Bramall Lane since the old master played, TC (Tony Currie) in the 70s.’ Saints’ Che Adams was not surprised by his new teammate’s goal. ‘We know what he can bring and that’s why the manager brought him into a more attacking role.’