Peter Franzen, a Canary supporter for more than 40 years, has second thoughts over the use of VAR in football.

When Norwich City ignominiously slid from The Premier League to the Championship there was a silver lining to the club’s relegation. No more VAR.

I suspect that, like many of the fanbase, the joy of scoring a “goal” was spoiled for me as the VAR team in the Stockley Park, London video operations room measured whether Teemu Pukki’s toe nail was in front or behind the last defender when the pass was made.

Of course, it was an entirely different emotion when the boot was on the other foot; it was the opposition “goal” that was under scrutiny and we were hoping and praying it was offside.

But recently I have come to think that maybe VAR might not have been such a bad innovation after all. The sending off of Borja Sainz in the 3-1 away defeat at Middlesbrough was galling, to say the least.

Former Canary Jonny Howson’s theatrics, as he writhed on the turf after a clash with Sainz, were worthy of an Oscar. It undoubtedly convinced the referee to issue a straight red card, so good was Howson’s performance.

The referee’s decision dramatically changed the game. At the time, the Canaries were a goal ahead and completely in control of the match, but the sense of injustice in the Norwich team and the boost it gave Middlesbrough turned the contest on its head.

Oh for VAR. What happened at Middlesbrough cannot be reversed, unlike Sainz’ red card. All the regret over the “mistake” will not restore the point or points that could cost City dear in the final Championship table.

It is clear that the quick cancellation of the red card meant that video footage of the incident revealed the “red” was unjustified.

It has been reported that among the factors as to why VAR isn’t used in the Championship is because it is “too expensive", and the EFL says it has no plans to fast track the introduction of the system.

So, it seems that, while VAR is still an option, the introduction looks a way off at present. The costs, it is claimed, are too high at this stage. But just what those costs might be is not transparent, and probably pale into insignificance in the EFL in comparison to transfer fees and wages.

However, there is said to be a cheaper option being looked at for the Championship. The EFL has discussed the practicalities of introducing a "VAR-light" system as a lower-cost alternative.

Compared to what is used in the Premier League, the EFL technology would incorporate fewer cameras, and therefore be cheaper. It would not include cameras to assess offside decisions, for example, but would allow referees to review contentious incidents.

After the Sainz sending off, “VAR-light” would be a great step forward to prevent further miscarriages of justice after the Middlesbrough fiasco. An unjustified red card is far more damaging to a side than a disallowed goal.

Thankfully the 5-0 thumping of Rotherham brought back that winning feeling at Carrow Road at the weekend. But, had the referee at Middlesbrough been able to use “VAR-light”, the defeat could have been a different story.

So come on EFL, let’s have the “light” system in operation next season. It seems more acceptable than the Premier League version, although no Canary fans would complain if the side reached the Promised Land this campaign.