SEAN DYCHE: STOP MAKING REFEREES ANNOUNCE DECISIONS, LET THEM OFFICIATE
Sean Dyche questions the lengthy 5:33 VAR deliberation in Forest's 1-0 victory, arguing the speed of decisions must improve to protect managers.
After Nottingham Forest's 1-0 win at Wolves, manager Sean Dyche expressed his confusion over the lengthy VAR reviews.
Igor Jesus had a first-half goal disallowed for offside after a VAR check that took five minutes and 33 seconds.
Even though Dan Ndoye was clearly offside in front of Wolves' goalie, Sam Johnstone, VAR official Rob Jones needed a very long time to tell referee Tim Robinson to look at the monitor. Then, the referee also took a long time to decide, even though it looked obvious on the replay.
Jesus did score the winning goal in the second half, but Dyche was more concerned about the time it took to make the offside call.
Dyche said managers used to worry about bad calls that could cost them their jobs. Now, VAR should make things more fair, but there will still be hard decisions, even with VAR.
He went on to say that five minutes is too long. With so many people in the VAR room, they should be able to make those calls much faster.
Dyche understands the fans' frustration, but he also knows that his job can rely on these calls. It’s a tough situation. When reviews take that long, it goes back to what he said when VAR was first introduced: they need to speed it up.
Dyche also doesn’t get why referees have to announce the decision to the crowd after a VAR check.
"It takes forever already, so just make the call and move on," he said. He thinks referees have a tough job and do well overall. There’s no reason to add more pressure by making them speak in front of a huge crowd. It’s not natural for everyone, so just let them do their job without making it harder.
One goal was always going to be enough against Wolves. They haven't scored in five league games and look like they're headed for relegation.
They haven’t won in 14 games, and with games against Manchester United and Arsenal coming up, they could be in trouble.
Wolves' manager, Rob Edwards, seems to have accepted their fate. He asked his players if they were scared at halftime, and they said no. He told them that they don't want to go down without a fight. That will be the message moving forward.
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
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