Competition key to Premier League hopes - Whiteman
· Yahoo Sports
New recruit Ben Whiteman says competition is key for Wrexham as the former Preston captain looks to establish himself at the Racecourse.
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Whiteman, who joined from the Lilywhites earlier this month, was handed a first Wrexham start in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Watford.
The 30-year-old started in midfield alongside Lewis O'Brien and Ollie Rathbone, with Matty James dropping to the bench having been in Phil Parkinson's starting XI in the opening league game of the season at Cardiff City.
George Dobson is another player pushing for opportunities at the heart of Parkinson's team, while another midfielder, George Thomason, has started the season at left wing-back.
Ben Sheaf is poised to join what is already a fierce competition for game-time in Wrexham's midfield, with the former Coventry captain close to returning from injury.
Whiteman, a Championship regular during his time at Deepdale, says having strength in depth is "key if you want to be a successful side".
"If you look at where the club wants to go, and that's the Premier League, you have to have competition for places," the former Manchester United youngster said.
"If you are out of form you are going to get replaced and I think that's healthy. It has to be there at all successful clubs."
Wrexham were left frustrated by their failure to take all three points against Watford, just as they had been after Rubin Colwill's stoppage-time free-kick denied them victory at Cardiff.
With a home fixture against Birmingham City to come on Friday, Whiteman says Wrexham can take encouragement from their early performances – but accepts the need to "be a bit more clinical".
"You look at the emotions at full time [against Watford] – we are a bit deflated with a point and they are ecstatic," he said.
"I think that sums up where we want to get to this season.
"I can understand if the fans are a little bit frustrated - we are [in the dressing room]. But the performance… if you look we were the dominant side. It's just that little bit of quality in the final third."