One of last season’s most controversial refereeing moments will no doubt come to mind in Wolves’ game against Fulham after the latest appointments for the upcoming Premier League fixtures.
VAR, referees and Wolves have a rocky relationship. The Wanderers have been part of their fair share of controversies with the technology and even voted to scrap it.
This weekend’s clash against Fulham is a must-win, and history is on Wolves’ side when it comes to previous results.
However, in other ways, the past will not be fondly remembered based on the officials selected for the game.
Wolves handed referee and VAR duo for Fulham that sparked a Gary O’Neil rant.
Wolves fans will no doubt be frustrated with the appointments for Saturday’s game against Fulham, as the referee and VAR combination is the same as one of the most controversial games of last season.
John Brooks has been selected to officiate with Andy Madley at Stockley Park in control of VAR, according to the Premier League.
If you do not remember, this is the same duo that was involved in Wolves’ 2-1 defeat to West Ham last season, in which a number of errors went against the Old Gold.
West Ham’s winning goal should have been ruled out for a foul on Santiago Bueno, while the Wanderers had two penalties turned down by both the referee and VAR.
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Gary O’Neil was perhaps the most upset with the referees and went on a rant in his post-match interview.
O’Neil said, “In a big game, in big moments, some decisions I thought were fairly straightforward end up going against us.
“It’s crazy. Santi Bueno is going to head the ball away, so it’s irrelevant [that the VAR said it’s a new phase of play] as we’d have cleared the ball. It’s a blatant foul on Santi Bueno, and there’s no way it’s a difference phase. The ball is still in the same area.
“They will find reasons, and of course they will, and I get there will be grey areas, and the wording of the rule can be interpreted in many different ways. But that’s a blatant foul on Bueno in the seconds before the goal. That’s a blatant foul.”
Vitor Pereira will want to avoid a repeat of history
This match against West Ham was Gary O’Neil’s penultimate match in charge of Wolves, and the current Wolves head coach will hope it does not end the same.
At the moment, the feeling at the club is that Vitor Pereira is still the right man to lead the Old Gold out of this crisis.
With the duo of Brooks and Madley, Vitor Pereira will no doubt be hoping that history does not repeat itself. The last thing the Wolves head coach needs is dropping points to a refereeing error.
The Wanderers must simply show up, and they have to put the game to bed without VAR causing too much interference.
If Wolves lose to Fulham, the general attitude within the club for Pereira could change.