We're getting seriously excited about the upcoming Premier League season here at Balls.ie, with the first game of the season kicking off between Man United and Tottenham Hotspur on BT Sport 1 at 12:45pm on Saturday, and today we have compiled an XI of Irish Premier League players who have a point to prove with their respective teams this season.
From veterans to newcomers, all of these players are either fighting for a place in their side or looking to push on to the next level.
Here is our Irish Premier League XI of players with something to prove this season:
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Darren Randolph - West Ham
Having made the move from Birmingham City to West Ham United, Randolph will be back-up to the Hammers' #1 keeper Adrían. Although Randolph isn't expected to usurp the Spanish keeper, should an injury occur Randolph will be required to prove he is good enough for the Premier League after impressing in the Championship. Cup matches should also be quite interesting.
Seamus Coleman - Everton
It may seem ridiculous to suggest that the man who is widely believed to be Ireland's best player has something to prove, but Seamus Coleman needs to get back into the Premier League Team Of The Season discussion after a quiet season by his standards last term, although he did noticeably improve towards the tail end of the season.
Tommy Hoban - Watford
Highly rated young defender Tommy Hoban could well get a chance to show what he's got in the Watford defence, and we would like to see him offer us some hope as to the future of the Irish back four.
Ciaran Clark - Aston Villa
It's make or break time for Clark in the Premier League. In and out of the Villa team last time out, Clark needs to make the centre-back position his own at Villa or he could be playing in a lower division this time next year. We'd like to see him make an impact on Martin O'Neill's plans too.
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Robbie Brady - Norwich City
Norwich shelled out £7m to Hull City for versatile left sided player Brady, and he's got to show that he was worth it. His ability from set-pieces is well known, but it's time for Brady to prove that he has grasped the left-back position and make the Irish #3 shirt his own.
Sean Murray - Watford
An injury plagued season scuppered Murray's development as he was only able to make six appearances for Watford after making 34 the year before and being voted Ireland's U21 player of the year. Murray will start the season on a 28 day loan Wigan, so hopefully if he impresses there he'll earn a shot in the Premier League.
Eunan O'Kane - Bournmouth
A bit-part player in Bournemouth's excellent season last time out, O'Kane needs to not only prove that he can play in the Premier League this season, but he needs to fight his way into the Bournemouth team first. It won't be easy, but he will almost certainly get a shot at some point.
Harry Arter - Bournemouth
One of the best players in the Championship last year, Harry Arter looks to have all the tools to make the step up to the Premier League, but now it's time to prove that he can. He should also be staking a claim for a starting spot in Martin O'Neill's Ireland team.
Aiden McGeady - Everton
Quite simply, Aiden McGeady needs to make the absolute most out of every second he gets on the pitch this Premier League season, and he may not get many. Clearly down the pecking order at Everton, although still first choice for Ireland, McGeady needs to show why Roberto Martinez signed him in the first place and that he belongs in the top flight of English football.
James McClean - West Brom
West Brom fans will surely be wondering what all the fuss is about after a pre-season that has drawn a lot of attention to Derry man McClean. Pulis is clearly a fan, so James McClean will get a chance, and he needs to prove that his woes at Wigan were not down to him and that his exciting emergence at Sunderland wasn't a one-off.
Shane Long - Southampton
Southampton have again invested well this summer with the signing of Juanmi to play up front who looks to be a very talented player. With a breakout season for Sadio Mane last term, Long needs to fight for his place and show that he's worthy of the big fee that the Saints paid for him.
