One of the great pluses of Carla Ward's reign has been the revival of Marissa Sheva.
The former middle distance runner was out in the cold for over a year during Eileen Gleeson's time in charge, a spell without a club in late 2023 costing her momentum at a time when the Republic of Ireland were trying to pivot into a more possession-based style of play that would have suited her.
Sheva - previously used in wide areas by Pauw - has since matured into a clever, high energy central midfield option, benefiting from a move to WSL 2 side Sunderland in March 2025.
In England's north-east, Sheva has found a home. She's gone from strength to strength there, her form earning opportunities with Ireland that the Pennsylvania-born player has grabbed with both hands.
"I would say this is the most consistently I've played in a really long time," the 28-year-old said ahead of tomorrow's World Cup qualifier against Poland in Gdansk (**5pm Irish time**).
"I don't think I realised how much I was missing out in club by not playing as consistently as other girls. You know, when I would come into camp and girls were playing week in, week out, I just didn't have that same experience.
"I think it's brought more confidence. Just in general and on the pitch, I think you can see it. I at least notice it. So those consistent minutes with club, I think is translating, at the very least, in my confidence."
> "I think we do also feel like there's some unfinished business (at a World Cup)."
It's also translating to football's most valuable currency: goals and assists. Sheva has been productive for club and country.
A fortnight ago she swung in a super cross for to Katy Watson to score in the drawn derby against Newcastle at the Stadium of Light. It was the sort of assist that's become her trademark.
"Yeah, that was fun," Sheva added. "This being my first full season in England, I'm getting used to the rivalries. It's easy to get wrapped up in that really, really quickly, and it's fun, the Sunderland-Newcastle rivalry.
"We look forward to that, and that's always played in the big stadiums, whether it's Stadium of Light or St James's Park, so, really exciting. I wish we could have come away with a win in that one, but yeah, that was a good point for us."
Sheva was brought into the set-up by Pauw in the months leading up to the 2023 World Cup. In the group opener against co-hosts Australia, her foul on Hayley Raso cost Ireland dear: the subsequently awarded penalty was dispatched by Steph Catley and the Matildas won the game 1-0.
That was a painful night for Sheva, whose eyes were stung red with tears on the bench at the full-time whistle. Now she's a key figure as the Girls in Green attempt to make it to next year's tournament in Brazil.
"I think for myself and for the group of girls that went to that World Cup, it's everything," she said when asked about the prospect of reaching the finals again.
"We want to go back and we want to prove that we're capable of competing with the best in the world. Personally, I wasn't part of the group qualifying for the World Cup. This is the first time I'm part of the group, you know, attempting to qualify, so it's great to be a part of the squad in this stage of things.
"I think we do also feel like there's some unfinished business there with how well we played in Australia, and how we felt like our results didn't necessarily reflect that. We are itching to get back and prove ourselves once again."
It's onwards and upwards then for Sheva, who will likely start at Gdansk Stadium tomorrow and again when the countries meet at Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Life at Sunderland is good - the only complication has been getting used to a particularly thick brogue.
"The Mackem accent is difficult, but I have gotten better with it!" she laughed.
"Oh my God, when I first landed in the north-east a year or so ago, I actually felt like they were speaking a different language, but it's easier now. I think I've copped onto it a little bit.
"I knew that my next move, I needed to put myself in a position to get significant minutes, because I felt like I hadn't had that in a long time in my career.
"I just wanted to have fun again. It's not so fun sitting on the bench. I wanted to put myself in a position where I could play."