Robertson asks hard questions as Pocognoli's Scotland stumble
Andy Robertson says Scotland were "outfought" by Slovenia. The captain did not hide after the 2-1 home defeat at Hampden Park on 6 October.
Scotland led. Then they lost. Robertson questioned his teammates' attitude afterwards, calling the display "not good enough" Yahoo Sports.
It was a sore end to a bruising first block for Sébastien Pocognoli. The Belgian has now taken charge of four games as Scotland manager The Guardian.
Scotland are facing a third-place finish in Nations League Group B1. That matters. It would affect their seeding for Euro 2028 qualifying.
The Nations League, European football's biennial competition that ranks teams into leagues and groups, decides more than medals. Seeding shapes how hard your qualifying draw looks.
Pocognoli's start has been mixed. His first game brought a 0-0 draw away to Slovenia on 26 September. Then came a 3-0 loss to Switzerland on 29 September after an early sending-off. Scotland failed to register a shot on target in that one.
There was relief in Skopje. Scotland beat North Macedonia 2-0 on 3 October. Ryan Christie made his first start under the new manager in this run. Then Slovenia came from behind to win at Hampden Scottish FA.
Tactics are part of the debate. Pocognoli routinely deploys a three-man backline with high pressing, with wing-backs central to attacking phases. Wing-backs are wide defenders asked to sprint forward and supply crosses like wingers.
Scotland switched to a defensive four in the closing stages against Slovenia. Pocognoli has described himself as tactically flexible. He denied having a touchline row with Robertson.
For fans, this means adjustment. Pocognoli was hired by the Scottish Football Association in August on a two-year contract. The 39-year-old Belgian is only the second non-Scottish manager of the men's national team.
He arrived with a league title won with USG in Belgium before joining AS Monaco in France. He succeeded Steve Clarke, whose tenure ended after Scotland's exit from the World Cup in June 2026. Scotland faced Morocco and Brazil at that tournament.
That exit closed a strong chapter. Scotland had qualified for three of the previous four major tournaments. Robertson paid tribute to Clarke at the time, thanking him for transforming the team's fortunes.
What makes this stand out is the noise around a new voice. Four games is no verdict. But a captain questioning attitude, a system still bedding in, and seeding on the line give the next camp real edge.
