Preston North End man hails 'brilliant character' who played vital role in 'proper performance' vs Coventry
PNE drew 1-1 against Coventry City with 10 men for more than an hour
Tuesday night’s draw against league leaders Coventry City was another step in the right direction for Preston North End.
That was the view of Lilywhites captain Ben Whiteman, who played 90 minutes as 10-man PNE came from behind to take a priceless point. Daniel Jebbison’s equaliser earned Preston the draw and left them fourth in the Championship table, ahead of Wednesday night’s fixtures.
Reflecting post-match, the North End number four said: “100 per cent (it lifts belief further) but again, teams are going to be looking at us and thinking it's a tough place to go. Blackburn was a dip, you're going to have dips in the season. We were poor on the night, there's no going away from that.
“Birmingham was a handball, but we battered them on the night. Wrexham, the other day, battered them. And tonight, league leaders have come to town, 10-men for 60-odd minutes and we've dug in. Wrexham, we were really good on the ball, creating numerous chances. Tonight, sort of a different side to us.
”It's a proper performance. We're a proper team now, we've got proper characters. I think for us to do that with ten men tonight is a credit to the boys. When you go to ten men, you want to look to the side of you, you want to look in front of you, behind you and you want to see proper people.”
On goal scorer Jebbison, the captain added: “Jebbo's a brilliant character. I think you look at Jebbo and some people think you don't know what you're going to get from him, but you do. Sometimes he can be a little bit sloppy, but he tries his hardest. That's why the manager loves him.
“The manager absolutely loves him for that reason, because you know what you're going to get from Jebbo. He's going to run the channels, back into people, try and win his headers, and he's going to pop up with a goal as well. Credit to him. At the start, people were probably writing him off a little bit; he's been fantastic, so credit to him.”
Preston’s bench was boosted by the return of Brad Potts on Tuesday night - someone Whiteman has played alongside throughout his North End career. The number 44, usually a stalwart in the side, has been sidelined for a prolonged period and not kicked a ball yet this season. Seeing him back while other important, injured players push on with their recovery is much welcomed by Whiteman.
“Yeah, special mention to Pottsy as well because it's been a tough nine months,” said Whiteman. “We had a chat about it in the changing rooms before. It's been a long time for him, getting close to being back and then doing it again.
“I know it's been tough for him, so yeah, credit to him, and he'll be a massive player for us going forward. Not just what he brings on the pitch, but everything around it as well. He's a proper professional and we're buzzing to have him back.”
Whiteman reflects on 200 apps
The PNE captain reached the club milestone last weekend and walked out of the tunnel with his baby girl in arms. He has been at the club since January 2021, when the midfielder made the move from Doncaster Roveers.
On that, he said: “Yeah, really proud and a really proud day for me and my family. Walking my little girl up as well was an amazing feeling, really special. I think you look back when your career's done and you see the moments, it's amazing. All my family was there to watch it as well so yeah, it was an amazing feeling.”