Ben Whiteman sends Wrexham warning despite emphatic Preston victory. Credit: Wrexham AFC
Ben Whiteman has warned Wrexham that one emphatic victory will not be enough to fulfil their Championship ambitions, insisting they must become better in possession and more difficult to hurt on the counter-attack despite Saturday’s 4-1 win over Preston North End.
The midfielder scored his first Wrexham goal against his former club at the Racecourse Ground, but his message after the final whistle focused on building consistency rather than celebrating an individual milestone.
Whiteman accepts criticism and demands more
“I think getting back to winning ways was the most important thing,” Whiteman told Wrexham’s official website. “If you look at the performances in the past few games, they weren’t good enough; you’re bound to get criticised.”
He was equally clear that Saturday’s scoreline should not conceal room for improvement. “I didn’t think we were great for the first 30 minutes today, but when we calmed the play down, we were very good; the three up front caused such a threat.”
Wrexham had drawn 1-1 at Derby County and lost 2-1 to West Bromwich Albion before the Preston game, a run that intensified scrutiny of Phil Parkinson’s side. The victory lifted the Red Dragons to 14th in the Championship, according to BBC Sport.
Possession figures underline Wrexham’s response
Whiteman wants Wrexham to control matches more consistently, rather than rely on moments of attacking quality. “I’ve been in the Championship for years and if you don’t dominate the ball and create chances, you won’t be successful; we need to be better on it.”
Against Preston, Wrexham finished with 61 per cent possession, 17 shots to the visitors’ 11 and six efforts on target to one, according to Sporting Life’s match statistics. Those full-match figures underline their overall advantage, although they do not independently establish how possession shifted after the opening half-hour.
Joe Worrall opened the scoring before Alfie Devine equalised, only for Whiteman to restore Wrexham’s lead with a low strike before half-time. He then supplied the corner from which Sam Smith made it 3-1, with Kieffer Moore completing the scoring.
Reflecting on the reaction from Preston’s travelling support, Whiteman said: “They were giving me stick all game; I found it funny, and so they can have it back.”
Why Matty James matters to Wrexham’s midfield
Whiteman also singled out Matty James, who returned from a back injury, for bringing stability to the middle of the pitch. He believes the experienced midfielder’s positioning is particularly valuable when opponents break forward.
“He is going to stay in the middle of the pitch, block the transitions, and that’s where we have been poor; we’re right down there for defending transitions,” Whiteman said.
“Those sort of players never get the headlines, but Matty James is crucial for the Football Club.”
It is an important admission from a player who sees the game from the centre of the action. Wrexham’s attacking quality was evident against Preston, but Whiteman believes defensive balance and better use of the ball must improve together.
The challenge is turning one win into momentum
Next comes an away trip to Blackburn Rovers on 24 October, with Sheffield United also on Wrexham’s reported late-October schedule. Whiteman is already looking further ahead to the period he believes will shape the promotion race.
“There’s so much football left to be played. I think between November and February you find out what teams are about; they’re the crunch months if you want to be promoted.”
Wrexham have shown they can respond convincingly to criticism. Whiteman’s warning is that repeating that standard, especially with the ball and when defending transitions, will matter far more than one impressive afternoon.
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