SAINTS boss Russell Martin has called on Howard Webb to "sort out" what he perceives as issues with VAR clarity.

Martin held another phone call with PGMOL chief Webb this week following another contentious VAR decision which went against Southampton.

Cameron Archer had a would-be winning goal ruled out against Brighton on Friday after Adam Armstrong was adjudged to be interfering with play.

Southampton also feel hard done by following decisions made in their games against Leicester City, Wolves and Liverpool.

Martin revealed Webb conceded that Archer's disallowed goal should have stood but questioned systematic issues with decision-making.

He said: "I think he's in a really tough position and I think there's an acceptance that the goal should have stood.

"I think it's probably a bit harder than it needs to be at times now. I think some stuff gets left on the field because they know they have the security of a VAR. 

"The process is the thing that means it doesn't get corrected. It will go down as a correct call from VAR, so I think this is probably the issue.

"It will go down because they haven't overturned it because it's not clear and obvious and still open to interpretation. It just goes down to a refereeing error.

"Surely the whole point of having both is so that we avoid any errors. I've got a lot of respect for Howard. I thought he was one of the best refs I ever played under because of how he was.

"He communicates very well and it is very clear why he's in that position. I'm sure he gets a lot of respect from the referees.

"I have trust and faith in him as a person and his standards that he will hold people to account as and when he's right.

"But he also has a job publicly to make sure that he protects his people, in the same way I would protect my players and my staff.

"I think it's a difficult balance for him. I just don't want to be moaning about VAR and referees and stuff like that. It seems we have been a bit unfortunate."

Asked if he feels PGMOL could simply VAR decisions, Martin added: "I think we can learn a lot from rugby and the way they communicate it.

"It's on a big screen. When we get sent over to comms, there are a lot of people talking. A lot of people calling each other mate and all that stuff.

"I'm just not sure that's elite and high level really. I think it needs to be a bit clearer. But again, that's not for me (to work out), that's for Howard and his team to work out. 

"I don't mean any disrespect. I just think we try and look at what we do every day and try and improve it. I'm sure they are as well.

"I think that's all you can ask. If we're going to use VAR and we're going to embrace this technology for a long time, let's try and make it as good as we possibly can.

"I'd much rather leave it to them guys to sort out. Because there's probably a lot to sort out."