VAR is not going to save the world

Reaction to my latest columns...

You are obviously a Man Utd hater. Boima Metzger

I would argue Gary Neville is the most biased of all the football pundits, although I accept many like him. It’s funny how these failed managers make decent pundits in the eyes of many even when they criticise successful managers. It’s a funny old game.

@buckrodgersposh

Football punditry on the TV is stale and needs freshening up, apart from Gary Neville.

@ravmat

A great win for Rory McIlroy last weekend at the Players Championship at Sawgrass, the unofficial fifth major. Shows he’s got the mental strength to win at the top level

@Martin14711990 Paul Gale is the best local referee around in my opinion.

@kingflany

League One refereeing this season has been abysmal.

@Poshtroll

VAR is not going to save the world. VAR saved the referee from poor decision in Wolves v Man Utd game, but Man City got a double rub of the green without VAR in their game at Swansea.

@StephenThomasco

The jury is still out on Solskjaer. United’s defeat at Wolves was more down to big players having a bad night.

@John6anderson

United lost to Wolves becausePogba, Rashford and Martial had stinkers.

@CulpableChimp

VAR favours big teams @Skydank I heard one of the most ridiculous things on BBC Radio Five last weekend when some joker of a presenter said VAR will benefit the bigger clubs like Manchester City and Liverpool. Er, no it won’t. Most marginal decisions made by our useless officials go in favour of the top clubs. Witness Manchester City’s cruel win over Swansea in the FA Cup last weekend when the Premier League side scored two goals that would have been wiped out by an honest use of VAR.

The likes of Raheem Sterling, Sadio Mane (above) and Mo Salah will presumably have to improve their penalty-winning techniques even further in future to keep ahead of the game. I don’t doubt they will, but I just hope those operating VAR can see through the simulation.

WALES WON’T RULE THE WORLD

Talk of Wales winning the World Cup in rugby union under skipper Alun Wyn Jones (above) in 2019 is hilarious. They’d have a chance if they played every game at home, but their Grand Slam success in 2019 included two fortunate away wins against poor opponents.

A GREAT BRITISH EVENT

I never back any winners, but I still love the Cheltenham National Hunt Festival. The atmosphere, the intensity of the racing and the sportsmanship of those involved make it one of the great British sporting events.

SPORT’S BIGGEST SNOOZEFEST

Formula One was back at the weekend with a procession led by two Mercedes cars. How boringly predictable.