Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson was unwilling to be drawn into criticism of referee David Webb after his side were denied two possible penalties in the 0-0 draw with Watford on Saturday.
Nahki Wells twice went to ground in the penalty area. First when he appeared to collide with Dan Gosling’s elevated boot as he attempted to head home and the second when William Troost-Ekong hauled the Bermudian forward to the ground.
Despite appeals from both the City players and those stationed in the technical area, Webb didn’t believe either challenge warranted a spot-kick, leaving Pearson stood aghast looking to the sky wondering what his side must have to do to win a penalty.
“What’s the point in me talking about it?” questioned Pearson after the final whistle.
“We’ve been over a year since we had one and what’s the point of getting irate about it?
“The players and the staff saw a game earlier where you’re looking at Manchester City vs Brentford and every two minutes there’s a referral to VAR and this league that we’re playing in is one of the hardest to operate in. There you go.”
It’s not the first time Pearson has spoken about the possibility of introducing a form of VAR to the Championship but he’s been keen to state that it would not solve all of the officials’ problems.
“Yeah (the officials need more support),” agreed the 59-year-old former defender.
“They need to be more consistent, but I can’t do anything about that so you just have to accept it for what it is and that is not really the standard that we would all like and I would say that you would include the officials in that.
“I don’t fall out with them on the side about it, it’s what it is.”
