Martin O'Neill recently named his 35 man provisional squad for the crucial clash with Poland in two weeks.Things were looking bright for Irish football after a draw away to Germany but following on from that we had a disappointing loss to Scotland in Celtic Park. Our hopes of qualifying for Euro 2016 require a positive result against the Poles at home at the end of this month.
We still believe we have what it takes to get there and are curious to see how we would line up in France in 2016. Bearing this in mind we have compiled this depth chart to give us some indication on what we could line up like.
We have gone with a 4-5-1 formation as it appears to be O'Neill's formation of choice. The line ups have been selected based on history with form and potential also being taken into account.
1 Goalkeeper
1. David Forde -Starting
2. Shay Given - Bench
3. Keiren Westwood - Bench
4. Darren Randolph
5. Rob Eliot
David Forde looks to remain between the sticks for Ireland having done a fine job so far. It was great to see Shay Given come out of international retirement, a sight made all the better by his fine club form recently despite being second choice for Villa. The experience Given brings to any squad also proves invaluable.
Westwood is certainly a very able deputy but it would be tough to see him as anything more than back-up.
2 Right Back
1. Seamus Coleman - Starting
2. Cyrus Christie - Bench
3. Brian Lenihan
4. Stephen Kelly
5. Niall Keown
Coleman is the nailed down choice here with him being one of Ireland's only world class players. After him things aren't quite so rosy with David Meyler being used recently as a filler.
However, Cyrus Christie has recently become eligible, taking part in the Scottish match and Niall Keown (son of Martin) has also declared for Ireland. Christie is a popular figure at Derby County due to his attacking displays from the full back position.
These are certainly players to keep a close eye on along with Brian Lenihan who made the move from Cork City to Hull in August of last year.
3 Left Back
1. Marc Wilson - Starting
2. Stephen Ward - Bench
3. Derrick Williams
4. Ciaran Clark
5. John O'Shea
Marc Wilson is O'Neills first choice whenever available with Stephen Ward not too far behind in the manager's thoughts. Derrick Williams is a prospect to watch, having left Aston Villa, he has been enjoying more football at Bristol City over the last two years who are currently 13 points ahead at the top of League 1.
Clark and O'Shea can also do a job at left back if needed but their services are much more in demand at the centre of the defence.
4 Centre Back
1. Richard Keogh - Starting
2. Alex Pearce - Bench
3. Damien Delaney
4. Paul McShane
Richard Keogh has performed excellently as captain for Derby this season and has done a good job when called upon for Ireland. Alex Pearce is another who captains his club and is still in the FA Cup with Reading having a chance to make the semi final.
Delaney is playing in the Premier League but his international career seems to be winding down with O'Neill stating that following a chat he gets the impression that he may be focusing more on his club football. McShane endured a tough time at club level recently but his never-say-die attitude has seen him impressively resurrect it. Something which could be applied to his Ireland career?
5 Centre Back
1. John O'Shea - Starting
2. Ciaran Clark - Bench
3. Shane Duffy
4. Tommie Hoban
O'Shea is nominated for the Senior International Player of the Year at the FAI awards and Irish fans will be hoping he can keep that form up for another year at this stage of his career. Clark's resurgence at club level is another reason to be optimistic and hopefully he can turn out to be the rock in the Irish defence that we were told he would be.
Duffy hasn't progressed as hoped but is now a regular starter at Championship club Blackburn. Hoban has represented Ireland at under-age level and is making a promotion push with Watford so may be a Premiership player next season.
6 Centre Midfield
1. James McCarthy - Starting
2. Darron Gibson - Bench
3. Stephen Quinn
4. Harry Arter
5. Eunan O'Kane
McCarthy is a star man for Ireland with Gibson and Quinn involved in most squads in recent times. Harry Arter is the only new name in the current 35 man squad and, young Bournemouth team mate, Eunan O'Kane will look to follow in his foot steps over the coming year.
8 Centre Midfield
1. Glen Whelan - Starting
2. Jeff Hendrick - Bench
3. David Meyler
4. Paul Green
Glen Whelan is a nailed on starter and Hendrick will hopefully continue to impress whenever he is involved. Meyler and Green don't provide much excitement but are solid enough to be relying on when you are forced to go deeper down the line.
7 Right Midfield
1. Aiden McGeady - Starting
2. Robbie Brady - Bench
3. Jon Walters
4. Alan Judge
McGeady is starting to perform well on a more consistent basis and fans will hope that Brady can remain fit for a good run of games.
Walters offers industry and seems to put in a decent performance whenever called upon. Judge is a good bit down the pecking order but some good performances for Brentford has seen Kevin Kilbane calling for him to be considered for the squad.
11 Left Midfield
1. James McClean - Starting
2. Anthony Pilkington - Bench
3. Andy Reid
James McClean has returned to form and has put in some good performances recently. Pilkington is decent back up and the Irish fans would be delighted to see an unlikely return to the fold for Andy Reid.
10 Attacking Midfield / Supporting Striker
1. Wes Hoolahan - Starting
2. Jon Walters
Wes is the more refined option but O'Neill has been known to use Walters in this position to make a nuisance of himself for opposition defences.
9 Centre Forward
1. Robbie Keane - Starting
2. Shane Long - Bench
3. Kevin Doyle
4. Daryl Murphy
5. Simon Cox
6. Adam Rooney
7. David McGoldrick
8. Antony Stokes
9. Ryan Manning
10. Reese Grego Cox
Robbie Keane remains our best option despite approaching the very end of his career. It would be great to see Shane Long start to score more goals. Apart from that there are many big bruisers that can be called upon to put in an honest days work, however, you would like to be able to ask for more from your strikers.
Reese Grego Cox recently made his debut for QPR and hopefully he can develop into a player that offers another dimension to the Irish attack
