Scotland Manager Faces Dilemma Over Star Winger Gannon-Doak

Scotland's new manager, Sebastien Pocognoli, faces a significant tactical question regarding how to best utilize winger Ben Gannon-Doak. Gannon-Doak, considered one of Scotland's most gifted players, was not included in Pocognoli's starting lineup for the recent goalless draw against Slovenia.

He was brought on as a late substitute and showcased his ability to beat defenders and deliver crosses. However, the impression is that the 20-year-old Bournemouth winger needs to improve his overall game to become a regular starter under the Belgian manager. Pocognoli's system emphasizes high pressing and energetic play, suggesting a preference for players who are match-sharp and performing at their peak.

Gannon-Doak's Club Situation

Gannon-Doak has started only one match for Bournemouth this season, a Carabao Cup fixture against Lincoln City. His five other appearances have been as late substitutes. If this pattern continues, his development and Scotland career could potentially be aided by a loan spell to a club where he can secure more regular game time.

Tactical Fit

The winger's primary position on the touchline also presents a challenge. While he can be an impactful player when a team needs to secure a win, this may not align with Pocognoli's primary strategy of defending from the front by pressing high up the pitch and regaining possession.

Gannon-Doak's strengths do not appear to lie in this high-pressing approach, nor is he ideally suited to a 3-4-2-1 formation that relies on wing-backs for width. This creates a classic dilemma for Pocognoli: prioritize his preferred tactics or adapt his tactics to suit his best players.

A data analysis provided to the Scottish Football Association during their managerial search indicated that successful international managers do not necessarily require extensive experience or domestic ties. The analysis also suggested that top international teams tend to allow their best players to operate in their preferred positions rather than forcing them into ill-fitting roles.

Managerial Flexibility

This suggests that Pocognoli's challenge is to devise a structure that enables Gannon-Doak to play on the wing, his favored position, rather than as a forward, an attacking midfielder, or a wing-back.

Pocognoli has demonstrated adaptability in his previous club roles in Belgium and France. He acknowledged this flexibility after the Slovenia match, observing Gannon-Doak's positive impact when opponents were fatigued.

'I am flexible,' Pocognoli stated. 'In Monaco, we played with a very offensive winger on one side, and in my previous club, we also played with two offensive wingers. We just need a strong central structure, and then we can allow that. But again, I am flexible.

'What I miss with Ben is just to have this game time to make the next step – but it will come – and today he had a fantastic impact. There is no limit about what we can bring from him in that shape but also maybe in another shape. We have formulas for everything.'