Scotland manager Sebastien Pocognoli says that his side should have won their match against Slovenia after missing a host of golden opportunities in an impressive second half performance, but says he is encouraged by the willingness of his men to ‘suffer together’ in difficult moments after a poor start to the game.
The Scots looked ragged in the opening 45 minutes of the match in Ljubljana as the players got to grips with Pocognoli’s 3-4-1-2 system, but some tweaks at the interval led to a much-improved showing, and the visitors really should have taken all three points as they squandered several chances.
Pocognoli though said that both sides of themselves that his team showed in terms of their resilience and then their ability to dominate were encouraging signs that they are working towards building something formidable.
“The last feeling in the dressing room some minutes ago was positive because we had a good second half,” Pocognoli said.
“We faced what we expected, a really aggressive Slovenia team but we were a little bit surprised about the shape. It looked like a back five but it was actually a back four when they were on the ball.
“Because of that we really struggled to find a way to press so we were quite deep and low on the pitch. That meant we suffered.
“But what we learned from the first half was that we had to defend the box well - to be resilient and to just suffer together.
“I think it’s nice to have a moment like this also, when a new gaffer starts. We conceded a lot of set pieces that we had practised for. After five minutes we needed everything that we had practised and we did it well.
“We created two chances of our own but Slovenia were more dominant. So, at half time we adjusted one or two things, and we were much better with two sixes and two 10s. It helped us to press higher up the pitch and was better for the counter press because we were not running everywhere. In my opinion it was a very good second half. We created chances that we maybe should have to score.
“But it was a good counter press, with a good, high defensive line and good communication on the pitch. I could see the players enjoyed the second half. At the end it’s a clean sheet and that’s also positive for the defenders.
“But I hope we can produce in the next game what we produced in the second half today.”
Pocognoli didn’t want to single his strikers out for criticism following the match, with all three - Oliver McBurnie, Robbie Ure and substitute Keiron Bowie - performing well overall, despite all missing chances to get Scotland that vital goal to win the match.
“I believe that maybe we should have to score in the second half, but I always think that maybe there is some reason why we don’t,” he said.
“I don’t want to make a big topic about the missing of chances. That can happen. But what the offensive players delivered also in terms of pressing was maybe more than they have done before. So maybe they missed some freshness in the last movement.
“But, yes, we should have scored but we are happy about the general performance. The strikers were the last detail today.”
