Former Ireland defender Paddy Mulligan expects a changing of the guard after Euro 2016 but hopes an emphasis on keeping the ball better is part of the future.
Paddy was disappointed that the Boys in Green could not manage to see out the game against France despite holding a 1-0 lead.
With Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick set to be among the leaders for the next generation in midfield instead of Wes Hoolahan and co, Paddy told Oisin Langan and I on the Rewind podcast that a greater use of possession must be part of the post-2016 era.
"Wes is going to be gone. Wes isn't going to be around for the World Cup, I don't believe. And well done Wes Hoolahan and getting your 33 or 34 caps and well done over the tournament. But you've got to be looking at the future," he said.
"Now, there's not that much coming through but what is there is a nucleus of a half-decent team there. If they - at this moment in time - have to be taught to keep the ball, they must be taught and they must have football intelligence. If they don't have that, then they're in trouble."
Listen to the full chat with Paddy on the podcast player:
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