Rich Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 I'm not one for slagging off a player who's been a stalwart of this team for quite a while now, so I waited for the dust to settle, to ask the question, can Bentley improve on what he does. He's 28 this year and considered to be one of the best keepers in this division, by a lot of our fanbase anyway. He's an excellent shot stopper and good coming out in the one on ones. His handling is generally good, though he does spill a few into dangerous areas. His positional awareness is also good, which helps pulling off the saves he does. His footwork is good with and without the ball and his distribution is usually very good, so that's most of the good points covered, if I've missed any then apologies for that. Now onto the points of where he can improve and needs to, in my opinion and it's basically just down to dominance of the area. I can't recall ever seeing our defence look so jittery as it has in recent times, not just this season, so the question is, why? I believe apart from the obvious when teams are running at the defence at will, it's down to organisation of that defence and knowing that there's someone there that will take command of the situation. This is where I believe there's room for improvement. I have seen numerous occasions where the keeper should have come to punch or collect a cross and take the pressure off defenders, instead of standing back and letting a cross zip across goal. I realise it's not possible for every cross, as some are too fast to react to but, being tall, athletic and quite nimble it's reasonable to expect that now and again, he'd come and collect a cross, or punch it clear, given those attributes. I don't think that every ball within the six yard area should be classed as the keepers ball but, the majority, yes, it's meat and drink for many competent keepers, sadly not yet for Bentley. Which leads me to their 2nd goal yesterday, it was a cross I thought he should have dealt with. As I said, he's only 28, so there's time for him to improve on his already good ability and start dominating his area more than at present. Then he really would be a quality keeper. In O'leary, we have a similar keeper that likes to stay rooted to his line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 The only thing I’d criticise him for this season is on occasion he lets his defence get on top of him. He has improved this though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 4, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 2 minutes ago, Davefevs said: The only thing I’d criticise him for this season is on occasion he lets his defence get on top of him. He has improved this though. Agreed, he should be the dominant force in that area of the pitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sh1t_ref_again Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 I think he is a superb keeper, but like many modern keepers, the desire to parry rather than catch always looks a weakness, but I am not a goalkeeping coach, so maybe due to the ball they use now or other reasons that is the preferred method, but always seems to be waiting for disaster to happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob k Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 Good post - i asked recently how much is he worth as i was debating with a few friends who said he was 10m easily, i don’t personally think you would get 10m for the points raised. He’s a very good keeper and im glad we have him but definitely areas to improve on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marina's Rolls Royce Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 WHAT??? Have we run out of people to question? What's wrong with Ashton or is this boring now? For the record- Bentley is pretty much the sole reason we aren't in the R zone. No one's perfect or infallible but, jeez, I'm so glad he's in our shirt. I despair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCFCGav Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 I understand this is a forum for debate, but I find any criticism of DB hard to stomach. You won’t find many a keeper who has single handedly earned more points (or at least stopped an embarrassment) than Bents for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Horse With No Name Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 2 minutes ago, Marina's Rolls Royce said: WHAT??? Have we run out of people to question? What's wrong with Ashton or is this boring now? For the record- Bentley is pretty much the sole reason we aren't in the R zone. No one's perfect or infallible but, jeez, I'm so glad he's in our shirt. I despair. If you called a plumber into your house to fix 6 little jobs, and he did 5 perfectly well, but on the sixth he flooded your house and drowned your dog, would you then say he was a fantastic plumber ? No you would say he was competent but needs to concentrate more. That's the point of this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 2 minutes ago, Marina's Rolls Royce said: WHAT??? Have we run out of people to question? What's wrong with Ashton or is this boring now? For the record- Bentley is pretty much the sole reason we aren't in the R zone. No one's perfect or infallible but, jeez, I'm so glad he's in our shirt. I despair. So what if we we’ve reached the end of the list of players to critique, and Bents is the last on the list. Nobody is arguing that he’s not having a fine season, but the OP is asking whether there is room for improvement. The fact that people are replying means it’s worth discussing. What are you...the OTIB new post forum police! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2015 Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 Been our player of the season. Last night was a mistake, and even the very best make them. No need to question him as he is well in credit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidered abroad Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 Every player at City has strong and not so strong parts of their game. I don't see this thread is denigrating to Bentley. More a case of how he could improve even more or , looking at it from a different angle, areas for the coaches to work on. But never forget, anyone who posts, that every mistake by a keeper is magnified by the goal against that usually is the result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marina's Rolls Royce Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 8 minutes ago, Davefevs said: So what if we we’ve reached the end of the list of players to critique, and Bents is the last on the list. Nobody is arguing that he’s not having a fine season, but the OP is asking whether there is room for improvement. The fact that people are replying means it’s worth discussing. What are you...the OTIB new post forum police! Yep. Just watch your step- I'm very disappointed in your lack of complex posts and your new ability to mix at our lower levels. I no longer know "what we can expect". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dolman Pragmatist Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 15 minutes ago, The Horse With No Name said: If you called a plumber into your house to fix 6 little jobs, and he did 5 perfectly well, but on the sixth he flooded your house and drowned your dog, would you then say he was a fantastic plumber ? No you would say he was competent but needs to concentrate more. That's the point of this thread. Alternatively, if he fixed 25 major jobs and then made one mistake that wasn’t necessarily a disaster, you’d probably just feel that he had a bad moment, as we all do sometimes, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tin Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 He’s our player of the year in waiting. He’s entitled to make a mistake or two, especially when his heroics have earned us plenty of points this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unan Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 All keepers parry rather than catch these days. I'm sure the hundreds of coaches instructing them know a bit more than us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WOODSY1111 Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 I think the issue with his commanding of the area with crosses is unfortunately down to the fact the defence has not been consistent. Last year we had Williams, Baker both very dominant aerially and probably told Bentley that they would take responsibility, could probably put Kalas (Mawson this season) in with them too. Then this season it’s been two younger probably not so confident with commanding these areas with Moore, Vyner and Marriappa being new, throw in the injuries that have caused these inconsistencies too. If he had a constant pairing that were all used to each other’s roles, strengths and weaknesses then his dominance would improve too. He has been a massive influence on results this season and fingers crossed will continue in this way for as long as we can keep him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 12 minutes ago, Marina's Rolls Royce said: Yep. Just watch your step- I'm very disappointed in your lack of complex posts and your new ability to mix at our lower levels. I no longer know "what we can expect". My ghostwriter got a job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Horse With No Name Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 8 minutes ago, Banned User said: All keepers parry rather than catch these days. I'm sure the hundreds of coaches instructing them know a bit more than us. Pat Jennings never parried, indeed he caught everything with one hand, and in fact, no gloves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUSSEL85 Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 DB has been player of the season. Thing is, when a goalie makes a cock up it’s a goal, other mistakes by strikers of midfielders are easily forgiven as they rarely lead to anything sinister. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 4, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 25 minutes ago, Marina's Rolls Royce said: WHAT??? Have we run out of people to question? What's wrong with Ashton or is this boring now? For the record- Bentley is pretty much the sole reason we aren't in the R zone. No one's perfect or infallible but, jeez, I'm so glad he's in our shirt. I despair. What I'm saying is that, if Bentley were more dominant in his area, would he then need to make all those saves. It's often said that good keepers make the job look easy, that's probably because they are proactive, rather than reactive. I'd say it's easier to catch a cross, than save a header or shot at close range, from that cross. It's all a matter of opinions, I'd prefer if he was more dominant in his area, than reactive to shots on goal. Years ago, we had the choice of Cashley or John Shaw, Cashley was Brilliant at saving shots but, Shaw never needed to. Similar thing with Ray Clemence and Peter Shilton, Shilton was by far the better shot stopper but, Clemence was more organised and concentrated for the whole game. Of course, if he was more dominant, to add to his already great attributes, would he be playing for us? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob k Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 7 minutes ago, Banned User said: All keepers parry rather than catch these days. I'm sure the hundreds of coaches instructing them know a bit more than us. I can’t get my head around how a parry could ever be better than catching a ball Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 1 minute ago, Rob k said: I can’t get my head around how alan parry could ever be better than catching alan ball One was just a commentator, the other win the World Cup! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Red Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 If he makes a mistake on Saturday I guarantee there'll be people on here wanting him dropped. It only took a couple last season before the cries started. He's a very good keeper. Not perfect, but if he was then he wouldn't be playing at this level for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marina's Rolls Royce Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 Just now, Northern Red said: If he makes a mistake on Saturday I guarantee there'll be people on here wanting him dropped. It only took a couple last season before the cries started. He's a very good keeper. Not perfect, but if he was then he wouldn't be playing at this level for us. Exactly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red_Alligator Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 Haven't we all Rich.......? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 4, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 2 minutes ago, Red_Alligator said: Haven't we all Rich.......? What, wish you'd never posted? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidered abroad Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 18 minutes ago, The Horse With No Name said: Pat Jennings never parried, indeed he caught everything with one hand, and in fact, no gloves. There's only one Pat Jennings! What connects Pat Jennings and Ray Cashley? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 4, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 Just now, cidered abroad said: There's only one Pat Jennings! What connects Pat Jennings and Ray Cashley? Both scored direct from their own kick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red_Alligator Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 10 minutes ago, Rich said: What, wish you'd never posted? Wished you'd never now!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidered abroad Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 2 minutes ago, Rich said: Both scored direct from their own kick. Correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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