Two Nations League matches, one point, no goals scored, and a home defeat that left little room for optimism. Sebastien Pocognoli's introduction to the Scotland head coach role has been, to put it diplomatically, a testing one. Saturday's trip to Skopje — kick-off 19:45 BST — offers both a chance for redemption and, given North Macedonia's position at the foot of Group B1, a genuine opportunity for that elusive first win.

The questions facing the Belgian are numerous, and the answers he settles upon will tell us a great deal about how he intends to shape this Scotland side going forward.

Can Angus Gunn hold his place in goal?

The most pressing debate centres on the goalkeeper. Angus Gunn was hardly convincing against Switzerland, conceding three goals — including one that pundit Andy Halliday described as eminently saveable — and the 30-year-old himself admitted he would reflect on what he could have done differently. His form at club level with San Jose Earthquakes, where he has shipped 23 goals in 11 appearances, has done little to inspire confidence.

The difficulty for Pocognoli is that alternatives are thin on the ground. Scott Bain is operating in the Scottish Premiership with Falkirk, Jon McCracken is plying his trade at Bradford in League One, and Liam Kelly has yet to get off the bench for Rangers this term. The market for a straightforward replacement simply does not exist at present. Pocognoli has shown an appetite for bold decisions — three debutants across his opening two games underlines that — but shaking things up between the posts may be a gamble too far given the options available.

Does Stephen Welsh return to the starting eleven?

If there is a relative bright spot to carry into Saturday, it is Stephen Welsh. The Swansea City defender made an assured debut in Slovenia, demonstrated his versatility and vocal qualities against Switzerland after being introduced as a substitute, and coped admirably when shifted to a less familiar position following Jack Hendry's red card. Hendry's suspension means a reshuffle in the back three is unavoidable, and Welsh's composure on the ball — a quality Pocognoli values in spades within his system — makes him a strong candidate to return to the starting line-up.

Does Ben Gannon-Doak finally get his chance from the start?

The most intriguing selection question concerns Ben Gannon-Doak. The 20-year-old Bournemouth winger has made a lively impression from the bench in both matches, enough for Halliday to suggest he would be shocked if Gannon-Doak were not handed a starting role against the group's bottom side. The problem is structural. In Pocognoli's preferred 3-4-1-2 shape, the natural home for a wide player of Gannon-Doak's profile is wing-back, yet his defensive instincts are not quite on a par with those of Aaron Hickey or Nathan Patterson in that role.

Pocognoli has spoken about flexibility, though he is yet to demonstrate it in terms of formation. Saturday, against opponents who offer a more manageable test on paper, might be precisely the occasion to take that risk — either by deploying Gannon-Doak at wing-back and accepting the defensive trade-off, or by adjusting the shape to accommodate his strengths more naturally.

The bigger picture

Scotland have looked, at various moments across these two fixtures, like a side still searching for an identity under their new head coach. That is not unusual so early in a tenure. What is slightly more concerning is the lack of cohesion in attack and the vulnerability that led to a 3-0 reversal against Switzerland at Hampden. Pocognoli's positivity and longer-term outlook are understandable, but a Nations League campaign does not pause for a project to bed in.

North Macedonia at home — or, in this case, Scotland away — represents the kind of fixture in which results must be gathered. A first win under the Belgian is not merely desirable. It is beginning to feel necessary.

FAQs

Frequently asked

What time does North Macedonia v Scotland kick off?
North Macedonia v Scotland kicks off at 19:45 BST on Saturday, 4 October, at the Nacionalna Arena Toše Proeski in Skopje. The match is available to watch live on BBC iPlayer.
Is Jack Hendry available for Scotland against North Macedonia?
No. Jack Hendry received a red card during Scotland's 3-0 home defeat to Switzerland and is suspended for the trip to Skopje, meaning Pocognoli must reshape his back three.
Who is Ben Gannon-Doak and why are Scotland fans excited about him?
Ben Gannon-Doak is a 20-year-old winger currently at Bournemouth. He has made an eye-catching impact as a substitute in Scotland's opening two Nations League games, prompting calls for him to be handed his first start against North Macedonia.