Sebastien Pocognoli explains Scotland's 10 metre problem as Steve Clarke presence casts shadow
Pocognoli must address Scotland issues before North Macedonia visit Hampden
Sebastien Pocognoli will spend the weeks between now and next month’s now crucial home match against North Macedonia reviewing a first international window that has already left the new Scotland manager operating under intense pressure.
The Belgian had hoped to sign off from the inaugural ‘double’ window with a win against Slovenia that would have left his team well set to finish second in Group B1 of the Nations League and on course to seal a place among the second seeds in December’s Euro 2028 qualifying draw.
However, a dismal performance saw the visitors secure a 2-1 win, leaving Scotland with an almost impossible task of finishing any higher than third. They emerged with just one win from Pocognoli’s first four games in charge after replacing Steve Clarke in August.
The immediate consequence is that the Scots have dropped to 43 from their pre-World Cup standing of 42 in the FIFA rankings. Slovenia, by contrast, have shot up four places to 52.
Pocognoli intends to spend the time between this and the next camp poring over the positives as well as negatives.
“Not much different from what I did before the camp,” he said, when asked how he would spend the next few weeks. “It is just to analyse this game, analyse all the four games, analyse the camp.
“The camp was, in general, positive. This last game can give a bad taste. I was really clear also after the Macedonia game that we had a good game, but I knew that we played a good game against an opponent that was less than us. That's the reality.”
He was making this argument even prior to the Slovenia rematch. As welcome as the 2-0 win over North Macedonia had been on Saturday night, Pocognoli acknowledged Scotland’s performance was not one that might necessarily have survived the scrutiny of a stronger opponent. Slovenia duly proved his point and ought to have won by more than just a single goal.
Pocognoli was perplexed why Scotland sat so deep. His manifesto since day one has been front foot, aggressive football. “We were too low with the back three,” he said. “If you are ten metres lower then everything is bigger through the lines and we have to analyse why. That, for me, was the biggest disappointment."
In contrast with leaked footage of Rangers players following their defeat to Celtic in the Tennent's Sixes on Sunday, he reported a calm home dressing room following the final whistle on Tuesday.
“We were not happy with many things against Slovenia, but you don't need to be too aggressive to tell and to show these things,” he said. “We just said we did a good job in the camp, not enough on the day, not enough for the ranking, but enough to build for the next camp.
“I just hope that they will keep the best memories and the good feeling and to come back in November with a good, positive and energetic feeling."
He did not foresee making sweeping changes ahead of a home match against North Macedonia and a trip to face leaders Switzerland, who are now up to 12 in the world rankings.
His options are set to improve with the likely return of Scott McTominay, Che Adams, Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean. All were stalwarts under Clarke and missed the most recent window due to injury.
“There will maybe be some changes, but I think we need to keep some stability, 100 per cent,” he said. “There was also a lot of good things to build on."
Pocognoli was badly served by circumstances on Tuesday night. The historical significance of Andy Robertson becoming only the second male Scottish footballer to reach 100 caps had to be acknowledged. The SFA were under pressure to stage something worthy of such an achievement, hence Clarke joining fellow former managers Gordon Strachan and Alex McLeish on the pitch beforehand.
"I just saw them before the game and it was a nice picture to have everybody give Robbo a special moment,” said Pocognoli.
Did he manage to speak at any length with Clarke, or the other two former managers? “No,” he said.
Although Clarke would have been empathetic, the perception he was sitting there judging Pocognoli’s efforts made life even more difficult for the Belgian.
Oli McBurnie’s struggles are a case in point. He has now gone 1050 minutes without a Scotland goal and was replaced after 63 minutes. It was hard not to imagine Clarke thinking: ‘There, I told you so’. The Hull City forward’s return from purdah had been one of Pocognoli’s punchiest statements as he sought to create some distance from the previous era.
The Belgian called the clearly disconsolate McBurnie back to shake his hand after Kieron Bowie replaced him. Pocognoli explained there was nothing more to read into this gesture.
"He was disappointed that we were losing,” he said. “That's the reality, and I don't need to shake hands to say to them if they are doing well or not.
“Oli did a great camp. Tuesday was not easy but that goes for all the eleven players. As long as they give their best, I will always be there to give a hand.”
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