Interim boss Eileen Gleeson admits leaving players out of her Republic of Ireland squad is the toughest part of the gig but she talked up the "super positive" competition for places that's putting the squeeze on some big names.
Amber Barrett, Lucy Quinn and Heather Payne were omitted from the matchday 23 for Friday's 5-1 UEFA Nations League win over Albania at Tallaght Stadium as Gleeson gave younger players an opportunity.
Factor in the absence of Niamh Fahey, Marissa Sheva, Aoife Mannion, Ruesha Littlejohn, Claire Walsh, Tara O'Hanlon, Savannah McCarthy Jess Ziu and Leanne Kiernan - who aren't even in the extended squad - and Ireland's improved strength in depth becomes obvious.
Gleeson has tough calls to make; and that's how she likes it.
"We speak to the players regularly, communication is open and we've got young players coming in," she said ahead of the Girls in Green's return fixture with the Albanians on Tuesday evening.
"The challenge is all the time evolving so it’s not necessarily that you’ve been in the squad so long so you’re entitled to be in here or that you can never be… you know the squad won’t be changed. That’s football. We make decisions based on a number of factors and that’s what we have to do. I think players understand that can happen."
Gleeson has no injury concerns ahead of the clash in the city of Shkoder, which is two hours north of Tirana.
Ireland could win the group with two games to spare if they do the business against the world No 72-ranked opponents and Northern Ireland draw with Hungary.
And with Ballon d'Or nominee Katie McCabe in the form of her life, it would be a major shock if they don't pick up another three points against stout but limited opponents.
"She's in her prime right now as we can all see," Gleeson said of McCabe who scored three and made the other two in Friday's victory.
"Katie is a huge influence in the dressing room, she’s the player and the level that other players aspire to. She demonstrates that on the pitch. She has a great work ethic, she’s able to guide the younger players, she’s able to support, she’s able to challenge. She has all the attributes of a really good leader and she’s demonstrating that with us and the players look up to her."
McCabe is not able to attend this evening's Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris as she preps for tomorrow's international.
Gleeson said the squad will mark the occasion in some themselves before fully focusing on the game.
"We had a nice prayer wakeup," added the manager in reference to this morning's 5am call to prayer at a mosque beside the team hotel.
"It's cultural so we’re very respectful. It’s nice for us to hear these new cultural experiences. We’re in their country so we’re super respectful.
"We don't have to do too much to motivate the girls. They’re very motivated, we want to get the win tomorrow we want to have a good performance form the start to the finish to the game.
"We’re playing maybe a little bit higher up the pitch, these games allow us to do that, and we’re using players in different positions, just working on different areas that allows them to have a little bit of freedom then in their play and make their decisions.
"We want them to play with freedom, we want them to take risks and not be afraid to take the risk when it’s on. So if there’s a little bit of caution, we’re just saying, ‘be brave, go for it, it’s your game, take it to the opposition and be brave in the moments and don’t be overly concerned about making a mistake, just let it happen and then we’ll see the performances and eventually we’ll see the learning then’."
Watch Albania v Republic of Ireland in UEFA Nations League on Tuesday from 4.50pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live radio commentary on 2fm's Game On
