Scotland stunned by Slovenia as questions grow over Pocognoli's project

Scotland suffered a sobering defeat to Slovenia at Hampden Park that leaves Sébastien Pocognoli's team close to finishing third in Nations League Group B1. That outcome would carry consequences for the seeding in Euro 2028 qualifying. Beyond the result, the overall level across Pocognoli's first four matches is cause for concern, with no sign of the lift that often follows a change in the dugout.

• Scotland were outplayed by Slovenia at Hampden Park and now face a third-place finish in Group B1.
• Andy Robertson openly questioned the attitude of his teammates after the match.
• The three-man backline leaves too much space in behind and the side struggles against counters.
• Ben Gannon-Doak is being used as a right wing-back, a role that does not suit his profile.
• November's fixtures now look decisive for a project that has yet to gain traction.

Four games in and still no new manager bounce

Pocognoli's early record offers little encouragement. Scotland produced a poor first half in Slovenia before recovering without scoring, then collapsed in Switzerland after an early red card. A narrow win over North Macedonia, one of the weakest opponents the side has faced in recent times, did little to lift the mood. The window ended with Slovenia controlling the tempo in Glasgow and the captain delivering an unusual public rebuke.

Andy Robertson made it clear that the mentality of the group was not good enough in a match that demanded far more intensity from Scotland.

The back three is leaving Scotland badly exposed

The Belgian coach has made a three-man defence his default system, with high pressing and wing-backs central to the attacking phase. The issue is that Scotland lack an obvious central defensive pairing, and adding a third option only increases the uncertainty. Time and again the team leaves too much room in behind, and opposition counters cut through the midfield with alarming ease.

Under Steve Clarke, Scotland were disciplined, compact and difficult to break down. Not always exciting, but effective. Now they concede chances against Slovenia similar to those suffered against elite opponents at the last World Cup. Pocognoli's ideal style may be impossible to implement without daily work with the players and a deeper squad than the one currently available.

Gannon-Doak as a wing-back: a square peg in a round hole

Ben Gannon-Doak brings raw pace and fearless running, but deploying him as a right wing-back against credible opposition has not worked. At 20 he remains lightly raced at club level with Bournemouth, and his decision-making in the final third needs refinement. The role also blocks Aaron Hickey, unquestionably one of Scotland's most dependable players.

Gannon-Doak is a pure winger, just like other attacking options in the squad. Pocognoli's favoured setup does not include wingers. Until the manager adjusts either the shape or the personnel, getting the best from his attacking talent will remain a puzzle.

What Scotland are playing for in November

The next international break now carries enormous weight for a project still searching for traction. Host-nation status should secure Scotland a place at Euro 2028, but the team cannot arrive at the tournament without identity or results to support the journey. Scott McTominay's return could offer a spark of hope, although it is not obvious where the Napoli midfielder fits in the current shape.

The Slovenia defeat also showed that switching to a back four in the closing stages created confusion among the players. That is not a strong look for a coach who insists he is tactically flexible and has already had a touchline disagreement with his own captain.

The Clarke legacy and the Scottish FA's gamble

Scotland have qualified for three of the last four major tournaments. The criticism aimed at Clarke in his final stretch underestimated the scale of his work. After seven years the cycle had run its course, but the squad was not fundamentally broken: it simply needed to move forward.

The Scottish FA opted for a data-driven process to replace Clarke and ended up appointing a coach with no previous international management experience. At the same time, new executive roles were created with vague responsibilities, held by figures whose records with comparable nations offer no clear evidence of improvement. The impression is that the association tried to reinvent something that did not need reinventing.

Hampden attendance shows the fans are not convinced

The Slovenia match drew 34,000 supporters to Hampden Park, nearly 20,000 below full capacity. It is not a disastrous figure in the context of the Nations League, but it reflects a public that has yet to buy into the new coaching staff's vision. Scottish supporters respond to results and commitment, not long-term promises.

Frequently asked questions about Scotland's struggles