Pocognoli's Scotland Aims for Improvement Ahead of Euro Qualifiers
Sebastien Pocognoli's early tenure with Scotland has been a mixed bag, with just one win in his first four matches.
After a disappointing 3-0 loss to Slovenia at a sparsely filled Hampden Park, the initial excitement surrounding the new coach has turned into frustration. Just days earlier, the squad had shown promise with a strong performance in a Nations League draw against Slovenia and a solid 2-0 win over North Macedonia.
The defeat to Switzerland was somewhat excused due to Jack Hendry's red card, but the latest Hampden loss felt different. Captain Andy Robertson voiced the team's struggles, admitting they were “outfought” and “not good enough” against a Slovenia side ranked lower than Scotland.
Heading into upcoming fixtures against North Macedonia and Switzerland, Pocognoli believes the focus should be on refining what they have rather than making drastic changes. "We want to build on the good things from our first camp," he stated, as he announced the return of key players like Scott McTominay, Che Adams, and Kieran Tierney, alongside a first call-up for James Penrice, who has been impressive for Rangers.
Pocognoli emphasized the importance of continuity, declaring, "There's no reason to overhaul everything." Despite the recent setback, he remains optimistic. "We need results to boost confidence and show our supporters we can win games, which is key for tournament qualification."
With Scotland currently sitting third in Nations League Group B1, they need at least four points from their remaining matches to hope for a shot at promotion. One point would be enough to avoid relegation. The road to Euro 2028 is also on the horizon, which Pocognoli has dubbed "the big job."
Scotland is a co-host of the tournament alongside England, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland, with the qualifying draw set for December 6. Pocognoli is keen to maximize his time with the squad, hoping that the experience of McTominay, Adams, and Tierney will help instill some consistency in a team that has undergone significant changes since Steve Clarke's departure.
"Their combined experience will be invaluable for this camp," Pocognoli said. "I want to understand my squad as deeply as possible, to gauge the players' attitudes and body language in various situations."
This upcoming camp will also see the inclusion of Penrice, who has been in fine form on loan at Rangers. Pocognoli believes Penrice's versatility and quality make him a logical choice, especially with some gaps on the left side of the team. "He can fit well into the system we want to implement," he noted.
There is, however, disappointment for Lennon Miller, who has been dropped from the squad again despite returning after a World Cup exclusion. Pocognoli downplayed the significance of this decision, explaining that Miller's position is highly competitive. He hopes to utilize Miller in a more advanced midfield role, suggesting he might benefit from playing with the Under-21s to gain experience in the desired position.
"We want to see him higher up the pitch, like we did with Findlay," Pocognoli added, aiming to nurture the young talent for future international duties.
