Pocognoli has 'positive nervousness' for Scotland debut
BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsClose menu BBC SportMenuHomeFootballCricketFormula 1Rugby UTennisGolfCyclingAthleticsMoreA-Z SportsAmerican FootballAthleticsBasketballBoxingCricketCyclingDartsDisability SportFootballFormula 1Gaelic GamesGolfGymnasticsHorse RacingMixed Martial ArtsMotorsportNetballRugby LeagueRugby UnionSnookerSwimmingTennisFull Sports A-ZMore from SportEnglandScotlandWalesNorthern IrelandQuizzesNews FeedsHelp & FAQsScotlandMen's Scores & FixturesWomen's Scores & FixturesMen's TableWomen's TableScottish FootballPocognoli has 'positive nervousness' for Scotland debut Image source, SNSImage caption, Sebastien Pocognoli will take charge of Scotland for the first time in Slovenia on Saturday BBC Scotland's chief sports writer in La MangaPublished13 minutes agoNations League: Slovenia v Scotland Watch on iPlayerListen on SoundsScotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli admits to feeling a "positive nervousness" before his first game in charge of the country, a Nations League tie against Slovenia in Ljubljana on Saturday. The Belgian was appointed in August, replacing Steve Clarke, whose seven-year tenure ended after Scotland's exit at the group stages of the World Cup. Pocognoli starts with four Nations League matches across 11 days, with the trip to Slovenia followed by Switzerland at Hampden, a fixture in North Macedonia, then a return meeting with the Slovenes in Glasgow. "If we talk about nerves, yes, but it's a positive nervousness," he told BBC Sport Scotland. "We have a job with responsibility. It's excitement and I'm just passionate about being on the touchline." Scotland are currently at a warm weather camp in La Manga, Spain with a much-changed squad. Pocognoli has picked a 19-year-old in James Wilson, four 20-year-olds - Findlay Curtis, Ben Gannon-Doak, Lennon Miller and Colby Donovan - and another three aged 22 - Kristi Montgomery, Luke Graham and Robbie Ure. With Blackburn's Montgomery replacing the injured Kenny McLean, there are now eight uncapped players in the squad. "It's a lot of new faces, so it's a challenge to find the right balance, to keep the cohesion in the team," Pocognoli said. Published19 hours agoFrom leaving Rangers to La Liga - Scotland is next step for Ure Published5 hours agoMcPake's 'colourful' journey from club-less to Scotland call-up in three years Published1 day agoScotland team 'can be flexible'The manager says he knows his team and his formation for the Slovenia game but is not wedded to any particular system, although playing three at the back has been a staple of his coaching to this point. "I always think the players select themselves," he added. "We have four games, so we need to plan. We need to have a periodisation [managing training loads, games and recovery] about the tactical aspect and the physical aspect. "This team can be flexible. We're ready for the four games in terms of what kind of approach we want to give." Pocognoli revealed he has had a conversation with his predecessor, Clarke - "a nice meeting on the phone," as he put it. "He was very kind, very... humble. That was very helpful for me. It just was to let me know that he's behind the team. He was very happy [in his time in the job] but he also felt that it was the right time [to leave]. He wished me all the best. "I will try to be as successful as the previous staff because we want to play in a big tournament. We want to create this moment for the country." Asked if his brand of football will involve more risk and adventure than Clarke's, he said: "We have to find the right balance because if you play fantastic football and you don't qualify you get some criticism." Pocognoli's style is all about aggressive pressing and fast tempo. He says that it might take a while for cohesion to be achieved but there are certain things that he wants to see straight away against Slovenia. "For me, it's about the personality of the players," he added. "I like a unit team who are just fighting for each other. "It's a basic principle - attack together and squeeze the pitch. When we need to defend, it's just to defend like brothers. When we lose the ball, it's try to regain the ball as quickly as possible. "From that, there are a lot of other principles, but that's the base. If you cannot get this, you will never have good principles on the pitch." Given the condensed nature of the games, there is going to be a fair degree of rotation from Slovenia away, to Switzerland at home, to North Macedonia away and Slovenia at home. "So good so far," Pocognoli said about what he has seen in La Manga. "But we need to get the response through the games. It's up to them to perform well, but it's up to me to make them perform well." PreviousNext0:38Hemp 'one of the best' in the world - Greenwood. 00:00:38, play videoHemp 'one of the best' in the world - Greenwood1:28How Israel v Republic of Ireland became so contentious. 00:01:28, play videoHow Israel v Republic of Ireland became so contentious1:19I wasn't good enough for Rangers - Ure. 00:01:19, play videoI wasn't good enough for Rangers - Ure0:59Joshua 'wanted' Fury fight in the UK - Hearn. 00:00:59, play videoJoshua 'wanted' Fury fight in the UK - Hearn0:57Pollock wouldn't 'entertain any other conversations' - Hearn. 00:00:57, play videoPollock wouldn't 'entertain any other conversations' - Hearn1:08'I feel so lucky' - Wood on England retirement. 00:01:08, play video'I feel so lucky' - Wood on England retirement0:49Zidane shifts focus from French players fashion. 00:00:49, play videoZidane shifts focus from French players fashion0:28Casparij - 'Man City don't need to change anything' 00:00:28, play videoCasparij - 'Man City don't need to change anything'0:11Townsend run over by pitch roller in Thailand. 00:00:11, play videoTownsend run over by pitch roller in Thailand0:50Why is the international break longer than usual? 00:00:50, play videoWhy is the international break longer than usual?0:50What are Infantino's latest Fifa proposals? 00:00:50, play videoWhat are Infantino's latest Fifa proposals?0:46Why does Littler keep getting booed? 00:00:46, play videoWhy does Littler keep getting booed?1:07What next for Palmer's England career? 00:01:07, play videoWhat next for Palmer's England career?Top storiesHunting hidden gems - is there anywhere in the world left to scout? Germany's saviour? How Klopp is looking to turn fortunes around 'It was scary' – Jacks goes from hospital bed to England match-winner Stacey Dooley uncovers the truth behind online health trends The surprising origins of fan culture in the 18th and 19th centuries Incredible sketches from the minds of David Mitchell and Robert Webb How Scotland reached the World Cup - told by those who made it happen Hunting hidden gems - is there anywhere in the world left to scout? Who will start for England at Euro 2028? BBC Sport's predictions 'Be comfortable in your own identity' - Agassi's advice to Raducanu
Source: BBC Sport
This article has been carefully curated and reformatted for educational and informational purposes. Full credit goes to the original publisher.
📚 Visit more helpful articles on Joab Peters Blog
No comments