Could Bournemouth Hold The Answer To Pocognoli’s Gannon-Doak Dilemma?

New Scotland manager Sebastien Pocognoli has a bright young weapon in his attacking arsenal. The challenge is working out exactly how to use him.

Ben Gannon-Doak’s late cameo in the goalless draw with Slovenia was brief, but it was enough to remind everyone of what the Bournemouth winger can offer.

Within minutes of coming on, the 20-year-old took on his man and delivered a dangerous cross, providing the directness and unpredictability both Scotland can benefit from.

The question for Pocognoli is how to make that impact more than an occasional substitute appearance.

The first part of the answer may lie at Bournemouth.

Gannon-Doak has started just one game this season for the Cherries, against Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup, with his other five appearances coming from the bench.

But for a manager who demands intensity from his players, regular football will be crucial. Pocognoli has made it clear he wants Scotland to press aggressively, win the ball back quickly and dominate possession.

“The game I like to play is a dominant one, with and without the ball,” he said. “High pressing, counter-pressing, but also real mastery in possession.”

That philosophy should not be entirely unfamiliar to Gannon-Doak.

Bournemouth have built an identity around intensity and aggressive pressing, while Pocognoli’s approach also places considerable emphasis on winning possession high up the pitch and attacking quickly when opportunities arise.

There are also similarities with the football played by Marco Rose, with Pocognoli favouring a proactive rather than reactive style. Both coaches have shown tactical flexibility while placing pressing, counter-pressing and possession at the heart of their teams.

That could ultimately work in Gannon-Doak’s favour.

If he can establish himself at Bournemouth and demonstrate that he can consistently operate within an intense pressing structure, he could become much easier for Pocognoli to accommodate.

There is, however, a tactical complication.

Pocognoli has used a 3-4-2-1 structure, with wing-backs providing the width. Gannon-Doak is not naturally a wing-back, No 10 or central striker. His greatest strengths come when he is allowed to operate from the wing, face up defenders and use his pace and dribbling ability.

That leaves Pocognoli with a familiar managerial dilemma: should the system dictate the players, or should the most talented players influence the system?

The Scotland boss appears open to the latter.

“I am flexible,” Pocognoli said after the Slovenia game. “In Monaco we played with a really offensive winger on one side and in my previous club we played with two offensive wingers as well.”

He added: “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.”

That flexibility could be vital.

For all the excitement surrounding Gannon-Doak, the immediate priority may simply be getting him playing regularly for Bournemouth.

Pocognoli has already seen enough to know the winger can change a game. The next step is making sure he has enough minutes, sharpness and tactical understanding to do it consistently.

If Bournemouth can provide that platform, Scotland may ultimately reap the rewards.

Pocognoli does not necessarily need to change his football to accommodate Gannon-Doak. He may simply need to find the right place within it for one of Scotland’s most exciting young talents.