Originally Posted by
samhaydenjr
I didn't realise that Euro 2020 qualifiers weren't due to start until March 2019, which gives us a little bit more time to get reinforcements bedded in - so here's where we'll probably stand by then:
Goalkeepers: Current options will likely still be available - Elliot should probably get a run in friendlies as he is our only Premier League first choice keeper. Ian Lawlor might put himself into the frame if he can get into The Championship next season. For our other young keepers it might be a bit soon but it's worth watching to see if they can get decent loan moves or get into their respective first-team squads - Kieran O'Hara, Caoimhin Kelleher, Liam Bossin and Conor O'Malley
Defenders - O'Shea will surely retire, but at least we have two Premier League Central defenders in there already. Declan Rice, Matt Doherty and maybe Conor O'Shaughnessy should be blooded in during the coming months. If Andy Boyle and Kevin O'Connor can maintain their places at Preston, they should get some time, as should another late-bloomer, Enda Stevens, who is now playing regularly for high-flying Sheffield united. Corey O'Keeffe has been close to the Birmingham first team so he could possible break through by the end of this season. And of course, Seamus Coleman will be back from injury.
Midfielders - Yes, Hoolahan will retire - it's ridiculous for Richard Sadlier to pin our hopes on getting him to play for another campaign; Whelan will also likely go. O'Dowda is already settled in; Hourihane, Horgan, Browne, Judge and O'Kane are the most experienced (and most immediate) options. Liam Kelly should be given a chance in upcoming friendlies. Youngsters who could put themselves in the frame over the next sixteen months would include Cullen, Ronan, Barrett, Byrne, Lenihan, Manning, Shodipo, Doyle-Hayes and Molumby
Forwards - this is definitely the problem area, with Doyle already gone and Murphy and Walters almost certain to retire also. And six months ago it was looking like a looming crisis. Since then, fortunately, Maguire has transitioned successfully to The Championship, Hogan has declared for us, McGoldrick has found his form again and even Aiden o'Brien is now a serious option. We have a lot of exciting young strikers at underage level but they might take another couple of years to come through. There are, however, a few who are within sight of their respective first teams and could break through next season (although it's probably an outside chance at this point) - Connolly at Brighton, McDonagh at Forest, Grego-Cox at QPR, Hale at Birmingham. So it is going to be a difficult transition but hopefully we'll have enough firepower to qualify for a 24-team Euro 2020 and by the next World Cup rolls around we'll have a much stronger forward line
