If the focus is on Shane Duffy ahead of Republic of Ireland's vital World Cup qualifier against Serbia in Belgrade this evening, it should be for the right reasons.
That’s the opinion of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman who believes that the dominant defender has built up "enough credit in the bank" in the green jersey to enjoy the country’s full support as he navigates a difficult period in his career.
Duffy’s form suffered since his loan move from Celtic to Brighton and the player has also been subject to serious social media abuse in relation to the death of his father.
And Coleman also feels that Duffy has yet to really mourn the loss of his parent as a result of the Covid restrictions as well as his dedication to his career.
Duffy has been acting captain for Ireland in Coleman’s absence and the Everton defender believes that the big centre-half is a warrior, a leader, and totally dedicated to the cause going into the vital Serbia encounter.
"Shane Duffy is a warrior, Shane Duffy is a leader. He doesn't sulk, he's a great character around the place," said Coleman, speaking at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference.
"I think all us Irish people have seen that over the years with his performances.
"I don't know if he even had the opportunity to mourn his dad properly, this football bubble is so important. A lot of that has to be taken into account too, and we all need to bear that in mind because the lad would do anything for his club or his country.
"So I think Shane Duffy has done enough, he has enough credit in the bank for his country for us to keep supporting him, as media and as players we should support him."
Duffy’s form might be under the spotlight going into the game, however, it is just one of a number of areas that Serbia will take confidence from as they welcome Ireland to Belgrade.
Ireland will line out with a makeshift defensive line, while Mark Travers will make his competitive debut in goal, having only played two friendly internationals.
John Egan is ruled out, Enda Stevens’ season was severely affected by a long-term injury, it is not yet clear whether Duffy will start, and if he does, it remains to be seen who is likely to partner the big Derry man in the heart of the defence.
Ireland captain Seamus Coleman has yet to play a game for the new manager, and again we await confirmation as to whether he starts in the same team as Matt Doherty.
"He’s ready to go, he’s training and he’s hungry. And he’s very keen to do well," said Kenny, regarding Duffy, while the manager also offered a glimpse of his thinking around the Doherty-Coleman dilemma by suggesting that "over the course of the week I’m sure they’ll play together".
Like Duffy, Coleman is also expected to start, and the captain’s influence will be crucial when it comes to keeping confidence levels intact, as there is bound to be an initial lack of cohesion between the rookie keeper and whatever new partnership sits in front.
The manager has been consistent with his approach to his defence since taking over, opting for a flat back four, however, he has also said that he is not wedded to any particular system.
And while Kenny stressed that his side would line up with attacking intentions, he also noted that there was nothing wrong with good defending, and perhaps on this occasion he is pondering a five-man back line for the World Cup opener.
Several arguments would back up such a decision as it would add an extra layer of security for Travers, while accommodating Doherty in his preferred role of right wing-back, placing Coleman in the right of a three, again sticking close to Duffy should his early confidence need some reassuring.
Kenny will need to make changes throughout the team with key players missing in both midfield and attack as well as in defence, and whichever formation he opts for, it will be interesting to see if his new recruits will bring that "infusion of enthusiasm" into the performance.
The manager is evidently proud of the fact that 13 players, by his count, have come through the system over the past few months, and the addition of Conor Coventry as a late replacement shows that Kenny is committed to getting the right blend of youth and experience in a balanced side.
And perhaps the most important member of that particular band of brothers is the arrival of Jason Knight onto the international stage.
The Derby County midfielder has just recently turned 20 and has already been named as captain at his club under the guidance of former Manchester United and England star Wayne Rooney.
Knight looks certain to play a key role in the midfield throughout this campaign and his fine combination of energy and ability will push Ireland forward in attack, while offering an excellent option out of possession.
Despite the injury issues, with the likes of Harry Arter, James McCarthy and Conor Hourihane missing, Kenny has a decent choice available, depending on how he lines his side out.
He mentioned in the press conference that Alan Browne and Jayson Molumby appear to be competing for the same position at Preston, and it could be a straight toss-up between the two for a place in the starting eleven tonight.
Browne may offer a better attacking threat, but again Mollumby’s energy and neat and tidy play ticks a lot of boxes with the manager’s way of playing.
Euro 2016 darlings Jeff Hendrick and Robbie Brady are also both very much in the manager’s thoughts, so it will be intriguing to see if he opts for that experience ahead of the youth wing of the squad.
Josh Cullen is being tipped by many to play and his move to Belgium rather than drop down the English leagues from West Ham to get first team football has been applauded.
The 24-year-old Anderlecht midfielder possesses all the attributes that the manager is looking for in someone who could tie the midfield together and move the attack from back to front, yet Kenny may not have full belief at the moment that he is the right man to select.
Up front, the manager is clearly a fan of Aaron Connolly and Callum Robinson, and while he admitted that both of them are a touch "undercooked" at the moment in terms of match sharpness, he does seem to believe that the duo could be his side’s best route to ending the goal drought.
As mentioned, Kenny has promised to set his team up in attack mode, yet he conceded that his side will most likely find themselves out of possession for good chunks of the game, such are the quality of the opposition, but he was loathe to accept the concept of conceding possession to yield better results was an option for consideration.
Serbia expect to open their campaign with a victory but will be well aware of how difficult Ireland are to beat from recent encounters during the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, where Martin O'Neill's side snatched a late equaliser in the 2-2 Belgrade fixture.
An Aleksandar Kolarov rocket settled the game in Serbia's favour in the Dublin return, which proved the difference at the end as Serbia qualified for the World Cup in Russia.
Both sides recently failed to get through the Euro 2020 play-offs, albeit with Serbia going one better than Ireland before losing to Scotland.
And while the home side is full of quality, playing around the top leagues in Europe, it is precisely that Scotland result that will give Ireland real hope ahead of tonight’s game.
New head coach Dragan Stojkovic will be anxious to get both a performance and a result to make an early impression having just recently taken over national team duties, however, a stuttering start to the game could see the home side lose momentum.
It remains to be seen if the coach has one eye on Saturday's tough task against top seeds Portugal in what is a very difficult opening for Serbia to their World Cup campaign.
Ireland managed to control possession in their recent Slovakia encounter, and should they manage something similar against Serbia, they could certainly frustrate the home side.
The Boys in Green scored twice the last time they trod out at the famous home of Red Star Belgrade, however, for a side that has not found the net for seven straight matches, an away-day brace could prove a bridge too far.
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