Preston North End midfielder ready for added attention and wanted to send the fans home happy after draw

PNE drew 0-0 on Saturday with Hull City with Whiteman man marked for much of the contest.

Usually the man that most of North End’s play goes through, he was unable to get into a rhythm for much of it having been stifled by the attentions of Ozan Tufan who must have intructions to look out for the no.4.

North End did finish the game as the stronger of the two sides however, with Troy Parrott having the best chance of the game.

After being superbly picked out by Ben Woodburn the Spurs loanee saw his shot saved by MAtt Ingram in the Tigers’ net.

Whiteman knows he has to be ready to step up his game when the extra attention comes his way.

He said: "I'm going to get that this season but it's about me trying to find different angles and getting on the ball.

"That's what I'm in the team to do, to start attacks, tick the game over and break things up.

"I'm sure I'll be getting more close attention throughout the season but it's just about me getting on the ball and finding different areas where I can pick up the ball. Hopefully I can do that.”

Preston have failed to find the cutting edge in their opening two games of the season but they have had the better of the chances in both of their games.

Performances otherwise for PNE have not been too bad and there are only minor improvements needed for them to likely find their first win.

Whiteman feels it is down to the whole group to find that breakthrough.

He said: “It's probably down to a number of things, a little bit of luck and us taking our chances. Looking at the two games we've had the best chances of the game.

"Again today we've probably dominated them but it's a 0-0, we'll go and watch it back and improve for the next one.

"It's not just the front lads, it's the collective of putting the ball in the right places and hoping to get that little bit of luck.

"I think if we get one we'll go on to get a couple. We're just searching for that first one.”

The PNE players were greeted by over a thousand waver flags as they emerged from the tunnel on Saturday, thanks to fan led efforts.

It didn’t go unnoticed by those on the pitch, with Whiteman wishing he could have sent them home happier.

He said: “It was fantastic. There has been a big push this summer to get the fans behind us, I thought they were fantastic.

"The more they turn up it gives you that extra bit of belief, that 12th man if you like.

"I thought they were outstanding all the way through and I'm just gutted for them that we didn't get all three points.

"We've said it in-house that we need this place to be a fortress if you're going to get into those play-off or automatic promotion places.

"You need to make your home difficult for the opposition to come to. I thought we did that today, the goal was just lacking.”