Ben Whiteman looking to make his mark on PNE

Preston North End’s Ben Whiteman felt both sides cancelled the other out at Deepdale yesterday, as PNE and Reading played out a 0-0 draw.
Ben Whiteman passing the ball against Reading.Ben Whiteman passing the ball against Reading.
Ben Whiteman passing the ball against Reading.

It could have easily been different however, with Lucas Joao being felled by Joe Rafferty with just under 10 minutes to go only for the Portuguese forward to pick himself up and drag the spot kick wide of the post.

There were protests at the decision and Whiteman was not convinced of the decision himself but did feel that it was a game where North End needed to capitalise.

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He said: “If I was going to assess the game, I thought we were the better team for the majority of the first half.

“I thought the last 10 minutes they grew into it.Then in the second half they came out and they’ve got some very talented footballers.

“Our shape limited them to little. I’ve not seen the penalty back but on first viewing I didn’t think it was a penalty.

“I think it was one of those games where we needed to score in the first half when we were on top and see the game out.

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The January signing from Doncaster Rovers once again started at the base of the midfield, handed his home debut by Alex Neil.

The 24-year-old caught the eye in the opening exchanges with his range of passing.

He said: “I thought we were outstanding in the first half, our passing was crisp, the diagonal onto the skipper was working.

“Emil had a little bit in and around the box where he couldn’t quite get a strike away.

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“I can’t really remember too much after that but to be honest I can’t remember too much from them either, bar the penalty.

“There were a few crosses into the box with Joao being a big lad, getting lay offs. Other than that I thought it was quite a neutral game really.

“I’ve been working on playing the diagonals with the gaffer in training, just getting it out of my feet and hitting Barks or the skipper.

“Scotty is more of a pocket player, he doesn’t want to drift too wide but I’ve got to keep doing it now.

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“I’ve got to keep stamping my authority on the game defensively and on the ball and hopefully I can continue to do that.”

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