VAR Is it better without VAR?

[Dkc]

After two seasons of VAR we're back to fast flowing games that don't stop to allow some refs in a studio to study replays of incidents. More refereeing errors will no doubt be made. Is the overall live experience better without VAR?

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

Every day of the week. So much better now. It makes it even more obvious how shit it was having it.

 

[Harry's Game]

Yes.

Next question?

 

[Chezzy Blades]

I still keep forgetting for a split second when we score that we don’t have to wait for a VAR check.

 

[Down the Channels]

So much better.
Being able to spontaneously celebrate a goal is one of the most importnat parts of watching footall.
Most people spot the offside flag or have watched enough football to know if the goal is 'iffy' and then temper their celebrations.
But there was nothing worse than not being able to go mental when (if!) we scored as we waited for VAR to confirm it.
By the time it had been confirmed the 'moment' has gone.
Having said that, loved the way it pissed off Snodgrass and West Ham when the decision went against them in injury time 2 seasons ago. That was worth celebrating after the decision!!

 

[Blade.com]

VAR too clinical, drawing lines, looking for the slightest touch, taking 3 or 4 minutes. Refs dropping clangers , all part of the game for me. Right or wrong , No VAR.

 

[Panini]

While there are errors being made that VAR would pick up, the overall impact isn't worth it and I'm glad we are without it.

Decision making was proven to be 90%+ correct before VAR, so altering the flow of the game to the detriment of people actually going to matches for the sake of an extra 5% isn't a worthwhile trade off.

I think there's room for VAR to be kept and improved (use a referral based system as in cricket etc) and there should be more transparency about on pitch refereeing (interviews with refs, openness about the processes they use, clearer overall communication).

It doesn't seem like these areas are being addressed so if it's like it or lump it, then lump it.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

So much better without. Would rather have the odd human error than stop start football.

 

[Micky Narker]

Yes, human error has always been part of the game. The feeling of not being able to properly celebrate a goal because you are waiting for VAR is crap.

 

[YES Blade]

So much better.
Being able to spontaneously celebrate a goal is one of the most importnat parts of watching footall.
Most people spot the offside flag or have watched enough football to know if the goal is 'iffy' and then temper their celebrations.
But there was nothing worse than not being able to go mental when (if!) we scored as we waited for VAR to confirm it.
By the time it had been confirmed the 'moment' has gone.
Having said that, loved the way it pissed off Snodgrass and West Ham when the decision went against them in injury time 2 seasons ago. That was worth celebrating after the decision!!

I can’t understand this view, surely when a goal is scored you have a very good idea of if it’s likely to be reviewed and celebrate accordingly?

 

[Maidenhead]

I can’t understand this view, surely when a goal is scored you have a very good idea of if it’s likely to be reviewed and celebrate accordingly?

You obviously weren't at Tottenham .

 

[metalblade]

Much better when we score a quick glance at the Lino for a flag job done rather than staring at the big screen for 3mins or more. Not fussed about a few mistakes we still got mistakes with VAR like the ghost goal at Villa and Lunny's big toe nail at Tottenham.

 

[Down the Channels]

I can’t understand this view, surely when a goal is scored you have a very good idea of if it’s likely to be reviewed and celebrate accordingly?

That is the point though, you didn't. What would appear to be a perfectly good goal would be disallowed.
The officials missed the 'offending' big toe or marginal offside or slight touch for a penalty. We got to the stage where every goal was being looked at by VAR, so we HAD to temper celebrations in case they found something obscure.
I am sure that is how the large majority of fan felt.

 

[Large Mendonca]

That is the point though, you didn't. What would appear to be a perfectly good goal would be disallowed.
The officials missed the 'offending' big toe or marginal offside or slight touch for a penalty. We got to the stage where every goal was being looked at by VAR, so we HAD to temper celebrations in case they found something obscure.
I am sure that is how the large majority of fan felt.

It was almost like they were looking forensically for a reason not to allow a goal; It's what it seemed like to me anyway, especially the first season.

 

[Down the Channels]

It was almost like they were looking forensically for a reason not to allow a goal; It's what it seemed like to me anyway, especially the first season.

They are still fiddling around with VAR now, but in that first season I agree, they were taking it too far and some of the decisions to cancel a goal were ludicrous. Eg our goal at Tottenham, taking it back to a previous phase of play to find out if Lundstram's toe was a few mm off side as he crossed it (where a goal wasn't even scored - it was cleared!.
It is slowly improving and I think it will improve - we are stuck with it anyway and I am sure it will creep into the Championship soon.
But for now I am enjoying it more without VAR, which was the OP's question.

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

My answer is yes.

But some decisions are just dreadful. VAR would have had a field day last week at Hull. 8 penalties and 3 red cards minimum

 

[Geordie Blade]

You’ve tempted fate now! Guaranteed that we lose today to a goal clearly twelve yards offside but not spotted.

 

[Berlin Blade]

Is this a serious question? It literally took away any form of enjoyment from football. Now it’s back.

 

[Silent Blade]

Championship refs make terrible decisions so I prefer VAR

 

[GreasyChipBeattie]

It's a simple equation really.
One side 'improving a minority of tight decisions by a small margin' on the other, removing entirely THE most important aspect of going to watch a football game, the ability to go bonkers when you score a goal. No brainer.

 

[SB_90]

for the moment yes but PL have stopped dropping constant clangers, goals arent been ruled out for miniscule things

 

[FatPaul]

Voted yes, but don't think VAR is the problem. For me VAR did what it said on the tin, and adhered strictly to the rules of the game.

I feel a rule change regarding offisde would be beneficial, such as clear daylight between attacker/defence.

 

[Carlton Blade]

If you say no you are wrong. Sorry

 

[Carlton Blade]

It was never, ever necessary. Get the absolute bag of shit out of football. Fire it into the fucking sun.

I don't hate many things but I've hated the idea of VAR for as long as it was talked about. It was always going to be a farce and it's actually worse than I thought.
So yeah, fuck VAR

 

[bakeblade]

After two seasons of VAR we're back to fast flowing games that don't stop to allow some refs in a studio to study replays of incidents. More refereeing errors will no doubt be made. Is the overall live experience better without VAR?

100% better without VAR - no matter how they keep tweaking it, VAR just doesn't suit football

 

[Hagan's boot]

For me I prefer it as it is now, I know it isn't perfect, but as others have said at least a goal can be celebrated without any delay.
Concerning Refs poor decisions, I think at the end of a game it tends to balance out pretty evenly.
All we need now is standing areas and a true footy atmosphere will be generated.

 

[Rochdaleblade]

I voted yes, but no is equally true. Lots of decisions are missed, but the game is better. We have been on the wrong end of a few and maybe would have got summat against Brum, but also had a few go our way, such as last week against Hull. Every time I hear the words VAR I automatically think of Lundstrams toenail. The fact is that VAR did nothing to increase the fairness of the game, took out the spontaneity and led to more shitcuntery. The megastore clubs seemed to get even more dubious decisions. Rashford, Salah Aubamayang etc. hang a leg out and initiate contact, then go down screaming, forcing the ref to have a look. I would rather have shit refs than bent refs.

 

[Silent Blade]

If you say no you are wrong. Sorry

Would you say the same if a terrible decision had cost us promotion?

 

[The Hecky Flecky Shake]

We’ll look back in a few years and see how embarrassing it currently is, with the stoppages.

Offside checks will become automated etc. Until that’s possible it should be scrapped, shocking currently, strips so much out the game we love.

 

[Carlton Blade]

Would you say the same if a terrible decision had cost us promotion?

1 million %. I can live with bad decisions. I did for my first 30 years of going to games.

Football fandom should be about romance, disaster and talking about how it all happened both at the time and years later. Not "getting the right decision"