On a dismal night at Hampden when Scotland failed to ask enough questions of Slovenia, there are one or two that could be posed to new boss Sebastien Pocognoli and his players. We knew Pocognoli was a disciple of three at the back - the issue being whether he was rigid or flexible in his philosophy, whether he was a bit of an ideologue or a coach capable of changing things on the hoof. Well, he changed it, that's for sure.
Maybe not early as he should have, but at 1-1, and then when Slovenia took a deserved 2-1 lead, Pocognoli switched formation and personnel, not out of design but out of desperation, you felt. He hurled players on in a bid to take a point; strikers, wingers, kitchen-sink stuff. Indiscriminate and messy.
Scotland never really got out of the blocks. They got what they deserved. Where did this turkey of a performance come from?
As early as the 13th minute there were signs of a rough night when Slovenia got in behind and Adam Cerin's shot had to be blocked by Jack Hendry. Concerning. 'Outfought' and 'not good enough' - Robertson on Scotland defeat Slovenia come from behind to beat ramshackle Scotland at Hampden How promotion, relegation and knockouts work in Nations League It got a touch nervy as the visitors knocked it about, trying to work it into all the space that Scotland were affording them. Hampden was deathly quiet.
Then Ryan Christie scored and it stirred, only to fall into a slumber again. The trouble at the back was revisited soon after, Andy Roberton having to make a lung-busting effort to throw himself in front of a point-blank shot from Zan Vipotnik after Hendry was caught dozing. Can the back three, so badly exposed by Slovenia, be long for this world when the opposition is decent?
Why did all that acreage of space open out wide and through the middle? Slovenia were licking their lips for most of the night. They were clever and creative and should have won by more.
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