One of the misfits was Nyron Nosworthy, who had failed to impress Keane in his established position of right back. After 16 minutes, and an injury to Sunderland captain Steve Caldwell, the Londoner was switched to centre-half. He was outmanoeuvred by David Nugent for the game's only goal.

Five months on, Nosworthy has become a pillar of dependability at the heart of the defence and has been named Sunderland's player of the year. Instead of being shipped out as dead wood, he has a new contract.

"Yeah, it's been a great transformation. I've played in this position before but not made it my own."

It just so happens it was Mick McCarthy who made the attempt to convert Nosworthy into a central defender. "He never really fancied it, despite my protestations, " McCarthy said after his Wolves lost at Sunderland last month. "Obviously Roy's ability to coerce somebody to play out of position is better than mine."

Keane's ability to re-mould an apparent misfit would seem to be better too. "The times that I played at centrehalf for Mick, I didn't do well at all, " Nosworthy said. "It was a confidence thing really. I thought, 'I'm not going to benefit the team by playing there.' I knew my trade at right back, so I went back to trying to make that my own.

Being drafted into centrehalf by the gaffer now, he just said, 'No one's seen you playing there.' And I was doing well, so why change a good thing?"

It was out of necessity Keane first looked to Nosworthy . . . with Caldwell, Stanislav Varga and Kenny Cunningham all injured. He soon saw the true potential, though, in the 26-year-old.

Since the turn of the year, Nosworthy has been a fixture at the centre with Jonny Evans, the outstanding Manchester United loanee, alongside him. With his assured bearing and his measured distribution, he has looked a new player under Keane.

"Yeah, the gaffer is very professional, " Nosworthy said, acknowledging the influence of his manager. "Everyone knew that before he came, but the majority of the players had not worked with him or been around him before. Once he set his stall out, it was plain to see that he doesn't mess around. He's spread that same approach among the players and obviously it's worked for the better. It feels like we're going back to the Premiership as a different team."