Express & Star

Walsall boss Jon Whitney in favour of video technology

Boss Jon Whitney says he would be in favour of video technology being used in football after Walsall were denied a clear goal in their draw with Blackpool.

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The Saddlers thought they had snatched all three points at the Banks's Stadium on Saturday when Jon Guthrie powerfully headed home a Joe Edwards's corner.

But the goal was controversially ruled out by referee Tom Nield, with the reason why still unclear after the final whistle.

It is thought Nield opted to disallow the header due to a foul on Ryan Allsop – although replays later showed the keeper wasn't obstructed.

And when asked if he feels video technology should be introduced, Whitney said everything needs to be looked at to try and make the game more fair.

"Whatever makes it a fair game, whatever helps the officials – can only be good," he said.

“It’s a tough job. I’ve tried refereeing five-a-side games in training – it’s tough.

“We’re not here to overly-criticise but sometimes there has to be a bit of honesty.

"We can only move forward, whichever institution you are in or whoever you are affiliated with, if you hold your hands up and say ‘we need to be accountable’.

“Because let’s face it, there are livelihoods at stake. This isn’t a hobby for me.

"I understand it’s very difficult for the officials so I don't want to overly-criticise.

"All I can say is that I thought we scored a really good, legitimate goal. It should have stood, we should have had three points."

Whitney was forced to endure calls for him to sacked following the 1-1 draw against the Tangerines – with the result meaning the Saddlers are still to keep a clean sheet this season.

The boss though refused to be downbeat.

"We haven’t kept a clean sheet and negatives will always be dwelt on because that’s the way of the world," Whitney added.

"Everyone will dwell on negatives but I’m going to stay on the positives.

"We are still unbeaten at home. If the set-piece goal isn’t disallowed, suddenly everything is different.

"How can one decision from a referee suddenly make us a bad team? I’ve got to keep a good perspective and a bit of realism about where we are."