Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has defended his use of players in different positions as he ponders which formation to use against Birmingham tomorrow.
The change in formation in recent weeks has seen Kevin Foley, primarily a right back, continue in a more forward position while injuries and illness prompted Richard Stearman to swop flanks and operate on the left hand side of the defence in Tuesday's defeat at Crystal Palace.
The boss has confirmed the obvious in that plenty of thought and preparation goes into his team selections, and highlighted the example of Palace defender-turned-forward Danny Butterfield's hat trick in midweek as evidence of the value of versatility.
"It would be interesting to know who people think are out of position, but I'm not interested to be honest," said Mick.
"If you form a committee to design a horse, you get a camel.
"I think people must think I throw all the magnetic numbers at the board and say 'right, that's what we'll go with'?
"For those who thought Richard Stearman was playing out of position, well, find me another left back when George Elokobi was poorly and Stephen Ward was injured.
"Zubar has been our best right back and Kevin Foley has been one of our outstanding players, he really has been terrific.
"And it really didn't help when we've had Michael Kightly, Dave Edwards and Andy Keogh all injured.
"And Stephen Ward has become the best left back in the club from supposedly playing out of position.
"I wonder if anyone at Crystal Palace is complaining that Danny Butterfield played up front?
"People have all got opinions but it really hacks me off - Butterfield played up front and scored three goals.
"If we'd done the same, would we have heard people saying 'how can you play the right back up front?'"
The boss has no fresh injury worries ahead of tomorrow's short trip to St Andrew's, and was today finalising tactics to tackle a team not beaten on home turf since September.
But he insists Wolves have to travel with the knowledge that they can produce a positive result amid the cauldron of a Midlands derby, not least as some sort of response to the no-show at Selhurst Park.
"That was the worst we have played in the three-and-a-half years I have been here," Mick suggested.
"I never saw it coming but I am not going to dwell on it any longer.
"We have had a good response in training but the response I am requiring is tomorrow.
"The last thing I will say about it is there is only one good thing to come out of the game and that is that we can't play worse than that and we have to play better.
"It is perfect motivation for a local derby and we have played well in the Premiership.
"We have put in some really good performances and I would envisage another good one on Sunday.
"We had some really good results away from home and it doesn't really matter who we are playing.
"But you can see where we are in the league and we need some points.
"We want to beat Birmingham and get points off them.
"If we play like we did against Liverpool and Hull City then we can go there and win.
"We can certainly go there and not be beaten but we are desperate for a three pointer.
"The important thing for us to stay in games and not be 1-0 down and chasing it."
Tomorrow meanwhile marks the boss's 51st birthday as he takes charge of his 182nd match in the Molineux hotseat.
He was asked in his pre-match press conference just what would be the perfect birthday present to mark the occasion.
"I think you know the answer to that," he replied.
"I want a twin-engined helicopter from my wife - and some socks, because I never get any.
"Maybe she might have to get me a single engine rather than a twin engine! And maybe the Chinook might be out of her remit!
"But a win and three points would be great for starters!"
