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What questions face Pocognoli after Scotland defeat?

What questions face Pocognoli after Scotland defeat?

bbc.co.uk 07.10.2026 09:43 5 views
Sebastien Pocognoli has much to ponder before next month's Nations League group-stage finale after a bruising home defeat by Slovenia.

From the high of their first win under Sebastien Pocognoli in North Macedonia to the second Hampden low of his embryonic Scotland reign. It has been rollercoaster four-game start to the Belgian's reign as head coach. His first international window ends not only with Scotland's hopes of topping Nations League group and winning promotion to League A left in tatters but facing a tougher draw for the next European Championship after a likely third-place finish.

Suffering back-to-back competitive home defeats for the first time in seven years left BBC Scotland pundit Andy Halliday suggesting the "period of grace" granted for any new team boss is now over. So what are the questions facing the 39-year-old for next month's two concluding games of the Nations League campaign? Honeymoon over as Pocognoli's Scotland suffer domestic disharmony 'Outfought' and 'not good enough' - Robertson on Scotland defeat Slovenia come from behind to beat ramshackle Scotland at Hampden Captain Andy Robertson suggested Scotland had been "outfought" while Pocognoli referenced not being strong enough in duels.

But was it as simple as that when fighting spirit is the least you expect from a footballer playing proudly for the national jersey? For BBC Radio Scotland's pundits, it was more a case of Scotland simply being outplayed. Former Heart of Midlothian and Rangers midfielder Halliday thought Slovenia were "really compact, really organised.

Off the ball, on the ball, so energetic, so industrious, willing to run forward, willing to play forward". Everything Scotland were not on the night. Former Scotland midfielder Leanne Crichton added: "Slovenia effectively critiqued and analysed Scotland from last week and have played them off the park." For former Scotland defender Willie Miller, there was an element of both.

"In many departments, they were bullied, they were schooled in certain moments," he told Sportsound. Pocognoli has been sticking to what is believed to be his preferred formation - three central defenders with two wing-backs playing high up the park. Initially, it appeared to have teething problems in the first half of the goalless draw in Slovenia last month before an improved second half had many enthusing at the way they pressed forward and played on the front foot.

Judgement was suspended after the 3-0 home defeat by Switzerland given the circumstances of Jack Hendry's early red card, but the plaudits returned following a convincing 2-0 win in North Macedonia. Neither Halliday nor Crichton are big fans of a back three and the Rangers Women head coach's main concern is how open it leaves Pocognoli's side out of possession, with Slovenia having again exposed the spaces behind the wing-backs. Halliday, though, thinks "Sebastien Pocognoli's version of a back three out of possession is fairly positive".

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