Along with the realisation that we've suddenly got a fair old representation at Newcastle and the by now traditional worry that at most four players on the squad will play Champions League football in 2006/07, there was the niggling thought that it's again a massive year - is there any otherkind of year? - for Irish players across the water. In the Premiership alone, there are 10 or so players we'll know a whole lot more about in nine months time.

Damien Duff for one. Yeah, it's harsh to be calling for a big year from our most talented attacker but when the elements in the mix include a year and a half of stuttering, where the flying one hasn't gotten a run at either a group of games or defenders for Chelsea, well it's fair. Newcastle with a Shearer and an Owen would have put Duff right up there on the assists listing and been great for confidence, whether he'll thrive so plentifully without targets to aim for in the box is in doubt. For now, a manager who'll give him some freedom to do what he pleases and a few decent swashbuckling days would bring fitness, sharpness and a buzz to his football that Ireland need. In fact it could be the difference between troubling Germany/Czech Republic and frightening them in the months ahead.

It seems the perennial mass of contradictions that is John O'Shea will amble on.

There's the fact that at 25 years old he's still to work out exactly what position he's best at. Then he has to go about actually nailing down said spot for his club and the feeling that his performances haven't reached the potential shown. Then there's the arrival of Michael Carrick into his spot in midfield and the comeback of Gaby Heinze at left-back. And yet. Only Rio Ferdinand started more outfield games for Utd last year, O'Shea had over 40 starts in all competitions, 34 in the league. There isn't an Irish player who can claim such impressive stats. If O'Shea and Steven Reid are indeed the chosen ones for centre midfield, and the hints so far suggest they are, it will be a tricky call for Staunton if O'Shea isn't getting his game in this position at all for Utd come January and February. Again, a big few months.

In the good news section, there is a glut of players who only need to keep on pushing in the direction they're facing.

Steven Reid stepped up for Blackburn last term and looked something like the player he was threatening to be in 2002. Another 10 per cent increase in performance and a few more goals like the ones at Sunderland and Wigan in 2006 would be welcome. Richard Dunne was so good that his manager felt there was no option but to make him captain, a not-altogether-likely proposition only a couple of seasons back.

Steve Finnan saw off another few right-backs at Liverpool and Robbie Keane may have opened the tap on that top, top striker lurking inside.

It's doubtful an offer of same again would be turned down by these guys.

Second-season syndrome will be treated with all the goodwill of a Cristiano Ronaldo visit to Anfield but it could have a bit of an impact on Irish plans. Kevin Doyle was the find of the year at Reading last time out but has to deal with both the step-up in class - he mightn't find John Terry and Chelsea as accommodating as let's say, Cardiff - and the difficulty of more expectation. One of the joys of the football he played last season was the no-fear, run-at-them style of a rookie let loose on the big boys. Mustering the same energy for a year in the Premiership would be a big step and he could do worse than look at Kevin Phillips' first year up as inspiration. Joey O'Brien could for all the world be John O'Shea a few years ago, a versatile young buck after a wonderful breakthrough year at full-back who now needs to either step forward into the midfield position he's more comfortable in or learn his new position and consolidate with a solid full season there.

The latter seems more likely right now, even if the former might be more beneficial for us long term. Stephen Ireland spent a month or two of 05/06 threatening to become the passer and the creative midfielder who've been missing a few years now before being hit by a combination of injury and Stuart Pearce opting to stick a couple of the more experienced players back in. He's got a touch of swagger about him; an acceptable year would probably be starting more than 20 games, including a few against big sides, along with a couple of goals from midfield. If two out of these three guys following up on last year's promise it would be a big return. How they're shaping up for, maybe, the Wales clash at the end of March will say a lot about what sort of season they've had.

There's a mix and match of circumstance and possibilities elsewhere. Liam Miller and Andy Reid don't look to have a genuine future at the clubs they're with right now and at least one of them will be faced with the dreaded drop-down-a-division question sooner rather than later.

Reid needs sharpness, Miller needs the confidence of a manager who'll back him for a run of games. It's hardly hyperbole to mention career and defining in the season previews for both. Graham Kavanagh and Kevin Kilbane won't overexcite too much but won't disappoint either and form may dictate which of these is pushing for midfield roles in the Irish team. A lot of Irish midfielders with points to prove then. One to keep an eye on is Shane Long and how much gametime Shane Long can get in a potentially-struggling Reading team.

But there's no getting away from the big names as the ones who've got most to gain, and lose, from the season ahead.