Scotland's 2-1 home defeat to Slovenia on Tuesday night has left some Tartan Army supporters questioning whether the change from Steve Clarke's successful seven-year spell was the right one, with the team taking just four points from a possible 12 in the Nations League.
Hopes were high that Sebastien Pocognoli would get his tenure as Scotland manager up and running, but a woeful performance has increased pressure on the Belgian. Scotland have shown signs of adapting to the high-intensity, front-foot style favoured by Pocognoli across his first four matches, most notably in the 2-0 away win in Skopje against North Macedonia. However, when that approach has not worked, Scotland have been ruthlessly exposed in their own defensive third as a result of the risks they take going forward.
Clarke's legacy and the high defensive line
Predecessor Clarke, who stood down after the dismal showing at last summer's World Cup, was present at Hampden on Tuesday night and was pictured alongside skipper Andy Robertson before the game as Robertson celebrated a century of caps. Clarke would have been frustrated by the high defensive line imposed by Pocognoli, which was far too easily carved apart by the Slovenians.
Four points from 12 have left Scotland's chances of winning promotion back to the top tier of the Nations League looking bleak. Scotland face Group E leaders Switzerland away to round off the campaign after hosting North Macedonia in Mount Florida. That disappointing return is also likely to have severely affected the make-up of the upcoming Euro 2028 qualifying campaign, a tournament Scotland co-host with England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.
Euro 2028 implications and the need for patience
Failure to secure a top-two finish in the Nations League group will see Scotland enter Pot 3 in December's draw. The Scots will enter the standard qualification process, with UEFA reserving two spots for co-hosts unable to book their place via the traditional route, giving Pocognoli and the nation a potential safety net. If more than two host teams do not qualify directly, the two spots will be allocated to the hosts placed highest in the European Qualifiers overall rankings. If only one or neither of the spots is used, the remaining places will be reallocated via the play-offs.
A radical change in approach under former Monaco and Union Saint-Gilloise coach Pocognoli was always going to take time for the squad to come to grips with, so it would be unfair to judge him after just four matches. But given that the solid, defensive structure employed by Clarke was the foundation for qualifying for the last three tournaments, some supporters are starting to ask if his low-maintenance, often seen as boring, style was so bad after all.
Lessons from Celtic and the road ahead
Over at Celtic, fans are still scarred by the disastrous 12-game stint Wilfried Nancy had as manager last season, where the Frenchman was accused of trying to change too much, too quickly. Martin O'Neill returned to steady the ship and delivered a league and cup double by simplifying the approach and making the team hard to beat.
The be-all and end-all of football, no matter the level, is results, and on paper so far it does not look good for Pocognoli. However, with the Belgian introducing a number of new players into the squad, it was never going to be plain sailing, and the Tartan Army might have to endure some more pain before reaping the rewards of what the ex-West Brom and Brighton defender wants to do with his team. Only time will tell if the gamble in appointing Pocognoli pays dividends, but it deserves every chance after the huge clamour for Scotland to be a side everyone wants to enjoy watching at Hampden.
