Interim manager Noel King is expected to introduce a new formation on Friday night when Ireland face Germany.
Although it is unclear whether Ireland will start with a 4-1-4-1 or 4-2-3-1, King will definitely move away from the flat 4-4-2 favoured by Giovanni Trapattoni.
However, there is an inherent risk that the players will not be accustomed to working in a different formation at international level even if they often play in 4-2-3-1s with their clubs.
In today's press conference, King was asked if he is worried about the prospect of trialing a new playing system against one of the best teams in the world...
King also insisted that Ireland captain Robbie Keane can play as a lone striker - a role Anthony Stokes and Kevin Doyle can also portray. Shane Long is another option in that position but there is a good chance that Keane will fill in a role he is not accustomed to:
"He can certainly do it," King had said yesterday.
"Anthony Stokes can do it as well and there are other players in the group who could possibly do it."
Keane sat out training today as a precaution after suffering a knock to his ankle.
FAI High Performance Director Ruud Dokter with manager Noel King ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
