Is the book out on Joe Bendik?

[vince93]

It seems to me that teams are taking alot of long shots at Bendik a producing alot of goals. It appears that he is not in a good position in the net. I think the first 2 goals vs NE should have been saved. Can TFC make a run with him in goal?

[Fort York Redcoat]

It seems to me that teams are taking alot of long shots at Bendik a producing alot of goals. It appears that he is not in a good position in the net. I think the first 2 goals vs NE should have been saved. Can TFC make a run with him in goal?

The second goal was definitely planned. NE scored a cracker just like it in the last month. That second goal (I'll watch it again now, damnit) was so screened I can't see many keepers getting to it.

I still believe Bendik to be a satisfactory keeper but he'll need a better line in front of him before it gets easier to judge. That last goal was just capitulation on the back 4's part.

[Jamaicanadian]

The first definsive principle of play is IMMEDIATE PRESSURE ON THE BALL.
Professionals can and will score from in and around the 18 given too much time and space.
Not Bendiks fault at all. Blame the players running away from the ball carrier, escorting the ball carrier and or pretending to try and play.
Never seen anything like this at the pro level. Some guys basically quit on the squad IMHO. You cant teach passion..you cant fake passion.

[levyashin]

Bendik looked good enough at the start of the season just like most of the squad.
I for one have noticed a downward spiral as the season has progressed.
As the results have gone south so has Bendik.
Bad distribution on a constant basis(who was overseeing his training)
Headed goals within the 6 yard area(goalkeepers should be taking head counts within 12 yards of goal)
Was he instructed to stay on his line (who was responsible for correcting this)
He has ended up flat footed and slow thinking.
Right now he is our only option because(Konopka is way out of his depth)(Roberts is good enough but management will not risk him.)
Just maybe Conway can enlighten Bendik enough to finish the season on a higher level.
If not then we are stuck until next season.:hump:

[shwade]

Bedniks play makes me miss Cesar (obviously) but also Frei..

[nonc]

When you break down the various fundamentals it's clear Bendik is below average in most categories, that is my simple logic behind asserting he is a poor goalkeeper.

[Couchy81]

He could save a few more shots but at the same time some of our defensive breakdowns lately have been no fault of Bendik

[ag futbol]

Not the biggest fan, but if LAG can win a cup with Saunders he is certainly no worse. I don't think the league has changed that much since their last win, but who knows? If they are analytics guys, which they claim to be, that poor pass completion percentage is going to be something they look at. Can't be blamed on our prior style of play either, technique is a problem and he doesn't look confident playing the ball.

[Ultra & Proud]

Well since Konopka is terrible and I am not sold on Q at all yet, I would bust out one of our arsenal of draft picks and select the best keeper available in the draft along with the best 2 CBs available with 3 of our picks.

[ryan]

It seems to me that teams are taking alot of long shots at Bendik a producing alot of goals. It appears that he is not in a good position in the net. I think the first 2 goals vs NE should have been saved. Can TFC make a run with him in goal?

He's regressed since he took over starting and even worse, his originally poor distribution is still.....quite poor.

I was a fan of him and was comfortable after Cesar was recalled, but now, not so much. He's had some tough ones to save, no doubt, but he's not gotten to any of them. He's got to do better than zero.

[ManUtd4ever]

Yeah, Bendik is an excellent reflex goalkeeper, but his poor positioning leaves him vulnerable to shots outside the box. He has let in far too many goals of that variety as of late, many of which didn't have pace.

We definitely need an upgrade in goal if we are to strive to be an upper echelon club.

[Huyton]

I'm also not that crazy about his distribution of the ball. I had high hopes that Bendik would improve as a goalie as his reflexes would be augmented with a better sense of positioning and that he'd learn distribution from Jon Conway (remember the assist he got in a CONCACAF Champions League game?).

It doesn't seem to have happened, though.

How's Quillan Roberts doing in Wilmington?

[Ultra & Proud]

I think Kerr should get some blame for this actually. He's been here a while and none of our keepers have ever improved any weak spots in their games under his coaching. You could argue they all actually got worse over time. Maybe Conway can help but I'd still draft a potential upgrade unless any real good ones become available in the offseason.

[Globetrotter]

He's made tons of ridiculous saves throughout the whole year and kept us in it for a many games. It's a big net, he's going to let some in, but he's stopped shots better than anyone else we've ever had in net. If the defence in front of you allows the chances (which they have), there's a good chance that plenty will go in... again, it's a big net.

The team is in a funk, so there's nitpicking. Short memories... go back and watch some game highlights.

[Ultra & Proud]

He's made tons of ridiculous saves throughout the whole year and kept us in it for a many games. It's a big net, he's going to let some in, but he's stopped shots better than anyone else we've ever had in net. If the defence in front of you allows the chances (which they have), there's a good chance that plenty will go in... again, it's a big net.

The team is in a funk, so there's nitpicking. Short memories... go back and watch some game highlights.

His shot stopping is very good but his distribution is grim at best and I've been starting to question his positioning in recent matches.

Bottom line: we have had young starting keepers here in recent years and you'd be hard pressed to say that any of them improved at all during their stay here. I leave that to coaching.

[BuSaPuNk]

His shot stopping is very good but his distribution is grim at best and I've been starting to question his positioning in recent matches.

Bottom line: we have had young starting keepers here in recent years and you'd be hard pressed to say that any of them improved at all during their stay here. I leave that to coaching.

Agreed. It seems that the longer keepers are here the more they regress.

I think Bendik has been okay when it comes to distribution. He has his gaffes but overall he's about par with most of the leauge.

I'd like him to possibly go shorter when it comes to distribution. He seems to try and pump it forward way to many times in bad spots.

The one thing that's never talked about when discussing distribution is the players waiting for the ball. There isnt a lot of options for Bendik at all. That is the overall problem I see. If guys would open up more he might be more inclined to find the right pass.

[Joe Kool]

Funny how this thread came out....my wife and I were talking during the warmups last game about how lethargic Bendik looked in the warmup. He really did. Maybe it is time to see another keeper in a game or two to light that fire under Joe. He worked really hard when he thought Frei or Cesar were right there breathing down his neck to take his spot. Maybe he doesn't feel the pressure from Chris and Quillan that he is going to lose his spot anytime soon. I am not saying he is playing so bad or anything but maybe the competitiveness for the spot is not there so much and might be good to infuse that again....plus I would like to see Q get a game in.

[Ultra & Proud]

Hopefully the shake up and Conway working with him can help.

[Globetrotter]

Seems like Philadelphia didn't read the book.

Again, best shot stopper we've ever had.

The book, chapters 1-8, includes terrible defending; back line and team unit as a whole.

[Burning Red]

lol If we throw the book at Bendik, he would simply save it. :tongue:

What a performance against the Union. This game could easily have been 3-0 again or worse.

[nick.mastro]

Well it is funny that this team started collapsing after World Cup break... The end of us having Cesar

[speckles]

Yes, sadly Bendicks diistribution was very good a couple of games after taking over from Cesar then downward after that

[dutch]

I would have never gotten rid of Frei. We have let go of alot of good players and even more mid way through a season. Frei to me, never looked bad. He took it very serious gaining starting goalie from kocic while being fresh out of college. I never liked conway personally, he just didnt stand out. Milos Kocic, very underrated. I thought he was great till Frei proved he was better. I dont think Ceasar is good anymore. He is a legend no doubt, but the fact Bendik looked good next to a old Ceasar half assin it in canada. Bendik is not our starter imo. perfect example where is frei now?

[Hamilton_Red]

Frei was our DP (in reality) a few years ago. Never regained his world class form after those bad injuries. His demise was the end of Winter IMO.

The show biz move to bring Caesar has hurt Bendik - we've tanked after the world cup. Defoe...bradley...and Caesar/Bendik haveall diminished since then. We need a top level motivator to get these guys back to top form.

[burlington Red]

I would have never gotten rid of Frei. We have let go of alot of good players and even more mid way through a season. Frei to me, never looked bad. He took it very serious gaining starting goalie from kocic while being fresh out of college. I never liked conway personally, he just didnt stand out. Milos Kocic, very underrated. I thought he was great till Frei proved he was better. I dont think Ceasar is good anymore. He is a legend no doubt, but the fact Bendik looked good next to a old Ceasar half assin it in canada. Bendik is not our starter imo. perfect example where is frei now?

It was Frei's wages that were the issue. For 2013 listed wages, Frei was $200,000, whereas Bendik was at $46,500.

[Fort York Redcoat]

It was Frei's wages that were the issue. For 2013 listed wages, Frei was $200,000, whereas Bendik was at $46,500.

An now? What's the hit on the books for Bendik cause we WERE getting our value out of him then got Cesar.

[pdubs]

An now? What's the hit on the books for Bendik cause we WERE getting our value out of him then got Cesar.

Bendik is on $140,000 base, $147,375 guaranteed.

http://www.mlsplayers.org/files/April%201,%202014%20Salary%20Information%20-%20By%20Club.pdf

last updated April 2014

[burlington Red]

An now? What's the hit on the books for Bendik cause we WERE getting our value out of him then got Cesar.

I think Cesar was coming here on loan regardless of who was in goal ie Bendik or Frei

[Ultra & Proud]

What I saw last night showed me that Bendik is a very good shot stopper and that MacMath is a very good goalkeeper and that's exactly what we should be looking for.

[Fort York Redcoat]

I think Cesar was coming here on loan regardless of who was in goal ie Bendik or Frei

I agree I just am curious about Bendiks value now.

[levyashin]

At $145,000 Bendik Should play like last night EVERY game.
He must have been reading this article all week.
His reaction to criticism was to play like he was in a play-off race.
Pity the likes of Bradley Odoro Moore Henry DID NOT.


School boy defending by the whole defensive unit.AGAIN andAGAIN

[Phil]

I find that the book is out on our back line more than on Joe.

That being said distribution is not a good part of his game and he needs to command the box more IMO.

[Fort York Redcoat]

At $145,000 Bendik Should play like last night EVERY game.
He must have been reading this article all week.
His reaction to criticism was to play like he was in a play-off race.
Pity the likes of Bradley Odoro Moore Henry DID NOT.


School boy defending by the whole defensive unit.AGAIN andAGAIN

Agree on Bendik last night. That and the 2 fwds. Bradley was satisfactory but not great. The tenacity he showed was constant. His execution was not. And he made Warner look like surplus to needs.

[burlington Red]

I find that the book is out on our back line more than on Joe.

That being said distribution is not a good part of his game and he needs to command the box more IMO.

I am not sure we can get the complete package in MLS in a keeper, in fact it's hard to find that anywhere. Funny you mention distribution as a weakness, there's a fair few Liverpool fans would level that accusation at Mignolet.

I think he's a decent keeper, parts of his game are strong, others not so. As some others have mentioned, our defence needs sorting way before we need to be addressing our keeper, Caldwell coming back might paper over a few cracks but long term it really needs to be addressed, esp in the central defence area. Watching Casey last night was painful against our CB pairing.