The team to take Irish football forward?
Now that the curtain has come down on Steve Staunton's disastrous stint as Republic of Ireland boss, the focus now concentrates on who will be the new manager and the need for qualification for the World Cup in 2010. The media have been working overtime churning out potential candidates by the bucket-load, with the bookies emerging as the only likely winner at the moment.
However, a worker is only as good as his tools. What kind of squad will the successful candidate inherit? We look at arguably the strongest Irish starting XI on offer, and whether they'd be capable of resurrecting the nation from the international scrapheap.
Goalkeeper: Shay Given
Ireland's most consistent performer in the last few years, Given has time and time again come to Ireland's rescue with some crucial saves. For the first time in his career, the Newcastle stopper has seen himself facing time on the sidelines due to niggling injuries, which also lead to boss Sam Allardyce dropping him in favour of long-term understudy Steve Harper, something the Donegal man was less than impressed with. Will need to be a main vocal influence in the next campaign, both in the dressing room and on the pitch.
Right-back: Steve Finnan
The 'Mr. Dependable' of the Irish team. Even when played out of position at left-back, Finnan has performed to a consistently high level, and spared Ireland's blushes with a cracking last-gasp equaliser against minnows Cyprus last month. In stark contrast to the Jack Charlton era, Finnan is currently the only Irish player playing regularly with a top-four side, and has Champions League football to look forward to every season, something few other Irish internationals can boast. However, the Liverpool defender has hinted at retiring from international football at the end of the current campaign. Right-back is not a position Ireland lack any depth in, with Joey O'Brien recently back from a career-threatening injury and Stephen Kelly plying his trade week-in week-out with the Premiership big boys. But a player of Finnan's experience is something Ireland cannot afford to lose, and every effort must be made to ensure he remains for the next campaign.
Centre-back: Richard Dunne
Manchester City captain Dunne has prospered since Sven Goran Eriksson's arrival at the City of Manchester Stadium, and has forged a good understanding with England defender Micah Richards. Despite years of self-inflicted controversy, ranging from weight issues to a less-than-professional approach to training, Dunne has become one of the first names on the Ireland team sheet. The burly centre-back was considered very unlucky not to be handed the captain's armband following Staunton's appointment, and will hope to get the nod next time around. The 'Honey Monster' has had a tough job organising a less-than-steady back-line, but never shirked his responsibilities. Dunne and Paul McShane are developing a good understanding at the heart of the Irish defence, and will only improve given time.
Centre-back: Paul McShane
Wicklow native McShane is a Jekyll and Hyde figure, whose performances often range from commanding to calamitous. At just 21 years old however, the Sunderland defender has plenty of time on his side. McShane was played out of position at right-back whilst at West Bromich Albion, which was not helping his Ireland chances. But now a first-team regular at a Roy Keane's Premiership new-boys, McShane will earn a wealth of experience competing against some of the world's best strikers on a regular basis. He will need to keep on top of his game however, with the up-and-coming Darren O'Dea and the re-emerging Andy O'Brien nipping at his heels.
Left-back: John O'Shea
The weakest link in this Ireland XI, O'Shea's inclusion is only down to the lack of quality options at left-back. 'Peter Kay' O'Shea - as the fans call him - has become the latest in the line of utility substitutes at Manchester United, taking over the mantle previously held by Quentin Fortune and Phil Neville. The Waterford native plays little more than a bit-part role at Old Trafford these days, yet seems unfazed by the prospect of spending three quarters of the season plucking splinters out of his backside. Whatever limited game-time he gets at club level however, it doesn't seem to affect his international chances, where he always seems to find a starting position, be it anywhere across the back-line or in midfield. It is hard to recall the last time he gave a half-decent showing for his country, as he seems to let games pass him by without making any positive impact.
O'Shea is now one of the senior figures in the international set-up. It's about time he started performing like one.
Left-midfield: Stephen Hunt / Damien Duff
If it were a direct competition with both players fully fit, Duff would get the nod every time. But the injury problems that have dogged Duffer over the last few seasons leave many doubting whether we will ever see the player that terrorised German and Spanish defences at the World Cup in 2002 again.
Before his latest setback, Duff looked nowhere near the player we once knew, his loss of pace only eclipsed by his loss in confidence. Will he ever be the same player again? Only time will tell.
Duff's absence has given Hunt the opportunity to stake his claim for a place in the starting XI, and the Reading winger has grabbed the chance with both hands. When either starting or appearing as substitute, the 26 year-old has been one of Ireland's most dangerous players during the recent campaign. Can sometimes be over-enthusiastic, with Prague being the best example, when he was dismissed for a rash challenge. The Waterford native is unafraid to run at defenders and unlike other first-teamers, looks like wearing the green shirt really means something to him.
Centre-midfield: Lee Carsley / Steven Reid
Again, another position which depends on the fitness of the latter player. After the public outcry for his recall following the whipping in Cyprus, Carsley was drafted back into the Ireland fold for the home draw with the Czech Republic. At 33 years of age, the Everton midfielder is no spring chicken, but is still capable of doing a job at international level.
Reid has just returned from a long lay-off, and has been pulled from the Ireland squad to face Wales by furious club boss Mark Hughes, who feels his midfielder is nowhere near full-fitness. The Blackburn hardman likes a tackle, but sloppiness in possession is an area he needs to work at.
Both players are good at doing the ugly jobs, in breaking up opposition attacking plays and throwing their heads in where others wouldn't dare put their feet, which allows the attacking midfielders to concentrate on creating openings.
Centre-midfield: Stephen Ireland
Whether it's for killing off grannies, pulling down his pants, or scoring match-winning goals, midfielder Ireland is a player who has been regularly making the headlines this season. Since his well-documented departure following the draw away to Slovakia - a game he scored in - Ireland has been in fine form for Manchester City, scoring a belting winner against Sunderland last week. The young Cork native shows no sign of returning to the Irish set-up however, despite the best efforts of Staunton and caretaker coach Don Givens. When it comes to the Republic of Ireland, goal-scoring midfielders are in short supply, so the new manager must make it a priority to entice the troubled star back. An improvement in attitude is required first though.
Right-midfield: Aiden McGeady
The first question that springs to mind with this young starlet is commitment. McGeady produces match-winning displays for Celtic - terrorising Benfica before scoring the winner last week - yet often looks uninterested whilst in action for Ireland. The winger has been vilified in parts of Scotland for choosing the Republic over the county of his birth. Is he regretting this decision?
The 21 year-old is capable of unlocking the meanest of defences, but must start adding defensive duties to his game. His lack of a left foot means his game can be easy to read at times.
Centre-forward: Kevin Doyle
Despite having only 14 caps to his name, the Reading striker has now made the second striker's position his own. Always fully-committed, the Wexford native has often had to lead the line on his own this campaign, and has been starved of decent service. A good target man, his cracking strike away to Slovakia shows the 24 year-old's capabilities. Will be central to our hopes of future qualification.
Centre-forward: Robbie Keane
And lastly we come to Ireland's Captain anything-but-Fantastic. Should anyone compare his recent goal-scoring record for both club and country, one would think they were looking at two completely different players. Staunton took a risk appointing the Tallaght man as captain, and it was one that backfired completely. His constant finger-wagging and complaining has a negative influence on match officials. Instead of concentrating on putting the ball in the onion bag, Keane has often drifted out wide or into midfield, frustrated with the lack of service to himself and his strike partner. Needs to be relieved of captaincy and allowed to concentrate on what he used to do best, scoring goals.