Preston fell to defeat this afternoon, as they lost 2-0 away at Bristol City – a ground where North End usually fare well.
Alex Neil’s men were behind early on as Famara Diedhiou gave the Robins the lead, and Zak Vyner doubled their lead after the break.
It’s now two league defeats in a row for Preston and three in a row in all competitions, scoring just once in that run – and that was a penalty against Wycombe Wanderers.
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North End fans won’t feel particularly encouraged by today’s result, but if there was one positive – and there may only have been one positive – it was the performance of Ben Whiteman.
Preston completed a deal to sign Whiteman from Doncaster Rovers on Thursday, and he was thrown straight into the starting lineup today.
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The 24-year-old had been a top target for Preston, and having pulled off the deal, there was real excitement surrounding his debut.
Yes, Preston lost, but Whiteman ran the show in midfield, showing his ability to pick out passes from deep and control the game, whilst he almost bagged an assist as Paul Huntington headed Whiteman’s corner onto the crossbar.
North End fans have been taking to Twitter to react to Whiteman’s performance, suggesting that he was ‘superb’ and ‘the best player on the pitch’.
Some marvelled at ‘what a player’ Whiteman looks to be, with fans picking him out as the big positive from such a disappointing defeat.