Mick McCarthy says the decision to rest winger Matt Jarvis contributed to Wolves' vital 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
The Wolverhampton club moved out of the relegation zone with the stirring Black Country derby triumph with Jarvis on the bench for all but 15 minutes and Republic of Ireland international Stephen Hunt in his place.
Following the match McCarthy felt vindicated for his controversial decision to start without the England selectee who has been the club's best player this season.
"Hunt, in particular, was outstanding. I know the big surprise was leaving Jarvis out but Hunt's performance spoke more eloquently about that decision than anything I could say," McCarthy told Express and Star.
"If ever there was a decision justified then thank God it was that one. If we'd lost I know the big question would have been about not playing Jarvis.
"It was about having fresh legs and people who hadn't played 30-odd games because maybe we were feeling it. In the previous four or five games I don't think Jarvis was as effective.
"It would have been easy to leave him in because he's a good player and the crowd love him. But Hunt was the man for the occasion.
"Even when he's not playing particularly well he's still so effective because the tackles he made and the work he put in was superb."
