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THREAD: North End have finally signed Ben Whiteman. A very well rounded midfielder who excels in passing, and has a great appreciation of space. Everything he does in underpinned by exquisite technique. Adds so much value to possession. Think Gally but with added mobility. #pnefc
First thing to point out with Whiteman is his outstanding technique and game understanding.
Whilst watching clips appreciate his scanning of space, his first touch to set the ball, and second touch usually a high value pass.
20 forward passes per game in L1 this season (1st)
Whilst watching clips appreciate his scanning of space, his first touch to set the ball, and second touch usually a high value pass.
20 forward passes per game in L1 this season (1st)
He’s a passing machine in Doncaster’s system, comfortable starting play from deep and also highly valuable in the final 3rd. Basically adds high value to everything he does and his xG build up/90 is outstanding. Hopefully North End fully utilise this.
Usually seen dropping deep like here to start play with in Doncaster’s 4-2-3-1 shape. Note his movement to evade his marker and his simple pass forward. Just wants to play forward.
Again, the basics but progressing the ball past halfway with good technique and good awareness.
Common theme is that he sees the game ahead of him, and usually does things in 1 or 2 touches. Reminds me of Gallagher in that he knows the pass before he receives the ball.
Common theme is that he sees the game ahead of him, and usually does things in 1 or 2 touches. Reminds me of Gallagher in that he knows the pass before he receives the ball.
Comfortable playing forward from between the CBs as well. Interesting to see if this continues at North End as we tend to progress play from slightly wider channels.
Biggest standout for me is Whiteman’s range of passing. All underpinned by excellent technique. PNE love a switch of play to an isolated player (Barkhuizen) and Whiteman excels at this. Again, this is Gally like for me.
Apologies this was filmed under water but admire the technique.
First touch whilst opening his body up, second touch pass. It’s simple stuff but it’s such high quality.
First touch whilst opening his body up, second touch pass. It’s simple stuff but it’s such high quality.
Moves play from one side to another at absolute ease. North End lack this sort of quality for me from deep areas (Gallagher aside).
Love this clip, scanning of the game clear before he receives, first touch whilst opening his body, second touch whilst setting, third touch pass. The ball is in the box before you can “the club has finally pulled its finger out”
This is where we start to his value in progressing the ball to dangerous attacking areas, explaining his xG chain of over 0.4xG/90. Again, there are no frills but he is so effective.
Loves a pass splitting the CB and the FB as well. Just love his appreciation of timing and space really. I’d love you to kick me into next week @BenWhiteman17
First touch set, second touch attack. Weighting of pass is usually exquisite too. He can help North End attack directly but with quality rather than with hopeless punts.
Same again. Give him space in that area and he will just kill your defensive line. Might be a reference point for teams to press which could create space higher, as he is very press resistant.
Ball is a relatively safe area and within 2 touches its in a dangerous crossing position. Just does stuff quickly and doesn’t play safe. Plays risky but with high quality.
Just nice this isn’t it.
In an unnatural position here but just look at the quality of the cross. As I said, everything he does is underpinned by that technique. Ben from Greater Manchester who came through United’s ranks? We’ve been here before.
So Whiteman adds so much value with the ball, getting it into dangerous areas for others. But he’s already clocked up 40+ shots himself this season and is a major goal threat. Keeps the ball hard and low. As I said last week, North End missing long shot ability. Shot map.
Averaging over 2 shots per game, so his role is far removed from that of Pearson’s within Doncaster’s system. Attacks space well and shoots well.
Technique.
Technique.
Forgot this pass btw. Loves it.
Just love this. First touch pass, open body. Next first touch set, second touch volley. On his weak foot too.
His left foot isn’t bad lads. Again his holding back of the run here to find space is just sensible football. He just gets the game imo.
Also been a solid penalty taker during his career.
Second photo shows his shot locations during the last 12 months. 56 shots outside the area is the standout. North End are lacking that.
Second photo shows his shot locations during the last 12 months. 56 shots outside the area is the standout. North End are lacking that.
So we know that with the ball he is top class and for me he is reminiscent of Paul Gallagher. We will see how that develops.
We can see from the graphs below that he ranks so well for all the attacking and passing metrics and this is backed up by video.
We can see from the graphs below that he ranks so well for all the attacking and passing metrics and this is backed up by video.
Without the ball.
This is where he differs to Pearson for me. As he is fairly tall, he lacks the same low centre of gravity and lacks that natural intensity. However, he is still capable off the ball and defensive volume is high, but not outstanding like his attacking volume.
This is where he differs to Pearson for me. As he is fairly tall, he lacks the same low centre of gravity and lacks that natural intensity. However, he is still capable off the ball and defensive volume is high, but not outstanding like his attacking volume.
Not the most natural tackler but he doesn’t shirk out. This will give him the Town End’s license to wear gloves. Or will it? We will see.
One thing he does do well, like he does with possession, is he reads the game well. He is calm with and without the ball. He is often in the line of the ball and this allows him to intercept. Doesn’t make many risky interceptions. Composed always.
Town End will love this.
Defends his box well and tries to remain low and on his toes. Generally makes good contact with clearances which North End lack, as simple as it sounds.
Generally a calm defender and although he isn’t the most natural in 1v1 situations, he is composed and doesn’t give in (generally)
Again, reads the line of the ball well and tries to stay low.
Personal favourite. Knows his limitations (lack of pace over distance, lack of agility) so doesn’t let the runner run away from him. Good yellow. More of this needed.
He doesn’t dive in much, preferring to jockey and delay his man, maybe because he is slightly limited in isolated situations. As seen, when he runs at full sprint, his lack of agility means he can be bypassed. Minor issue though similar to Ledson. Only Pearson is exempt to this.
Again this was filmed under water and it’s not a major issue, just worth pointing out that he isn’t yet Ballon D’Or worthy. That will change after a few months under Alex’s wing though.
He will need to monitor when to engage and when to hold is line, key part of Neil’s defensive system is to protect space and to engage at the right times. Again something Ledson struggles with. Whiteman isn’t a natural Pearson for me (who is?)
Still, he is more than adept at defending his own third and covers the width of the pitch well from that central base. No real concerns for me. If you compare anyone to Pearson they will lack intensity. However compared to Gally his defensive output is fantastic.
CONCLUSION:
PNE have pulled off a major coup here. With possession, Whiteman excels in every facet. His technique, game understanding and awareness are top level. Off the ball he is comfortably good enough. He is a long term Gallagher replacement for me.
PNE have pulled off a major coup here. With possession, Whiteman excels in every facet. His technique, game understanding and awareness are top level. Off the ball he is comfortably good enough. He is a long term Gallagher replacement for me.
Suspect he will fit into one of the 2 deeper roles. Hopefully he is PNEs main reference is possession and he will also add quality in the final 3rd which he lack badly.
Will shoot, takes set pieces and is a real leader by all accounts. So excited to see him in White.
Will shoot, takes set pieces and is a real leader by all accounts. So excited to see him in White.
#WelcomeWhiteman
If anyone wants to see more videos and more tactical stuff slide into the DMs, don’t want to bore the timeline anymore. UTW.
If anyone wants to see more videos and more tactical stuff slide into the DMs, don’t want to bore the timeline anymore. UTW.
Apparently this was already included further up. Got a bit too excited this morning.
