So was the defeat down to the system?

Pocognoli has been sticking to what is believed to be his preferred formation – three central defenders with two wing-backs playing high up the park.

Initially, it appeared to have teething problems in the first half of the goalless draw in Slovenia last month before an improved second half had many enthusing at the way they pressed forward and played on the front foot.

Judgement was suspended after the 3-0 home defeat by Switzerland given the circumstances of Jack Hendry’s early red card, but the plaudits returned following a convincing 2-0 win in North Macedonia.

Now the concerns are back.

Neither Halliday nor Crichton are big fans of a back three and the Rangers Women head coach’s main concern is how open it leaves Pocognoli’s side out of possession, with Slovenia having again exposed the spaces behind the wing-backs.

Halliday, though, thinks “Sebastien Pocognoli’s version of a back three out of possession is fairly positive”.

“A lot of the time it is actually a back four when you see the wing-back essentially jumping as a winger and the other wing-back tucking in as a full-back,” he said.

“My issue is more in possession, with the lack of penetration and runs in behind. If you play that box midfield and the amount of players Scotland play centrally then you have to be able to play through the centre of the pitch.”

Miller wondered whether the defenders at Scotland’s disposal are comfortable playing as a back three.

“You are asking the two wing-backs to be absolutely way up the park,” he said.

“For me, the three centre-backs are exposed and don’t know how to play the system.

“He’s had time to work with the system, but it was just all over the place. It was unbelievably poor.”