Mick McCarthy insists his Wolves side are in a "very fortunate position" despite a Championship top-six finish being out of their hands.

Seventh-placed Wanderers host Plymouth Argyle at Molineux on Sunday knowing even a victory may not be enough to secure another crack at the play-offs.

Last year's beaten semi-finalists need to claim three points against the Pilgrims and rely on either Watford (who travel to Blackpool) or Crystal Palace (who host Burnley) dropping points if their Premier League dreams are to stay alive.

It could have been a completely different scenario for McCarthy's side had they bettered last weekend's 1-1 draw at Coventry after both the Eagles and the Hornets slipped up.

But a remarkably relaxed McCarthy kicked off the mind games by claiming it is those two, not his side, who have everything to lose.

"I still don't see why we should be getting all wrapped up about it, we just need to win a game," he said.

"We have to concentrate on beating Plymouth, because if we don't then it makes no odds whatever happens.

"I don't see any reason to get carried away or upset, or any other emotion that people seem to want to generate.

"There's less pressure on us than there is on Watford or Crystal Palace. They're in the play-off spots and there's only them can mess it up. We can win one game and we can't get into the top six in our own right - but they can lose it.

"We could win and still be out of it. But we are in a very fortunate position in that we can't throw it away.

"We're not going into it thinking 'we could lose this'. Of course, I'd sooner be top of the table but at the moment, in terms of the psychological aspect of it, there's no point in us getting uptight."

The former Republic of Ireland manager admitted Scunthorpe had done his side a big favour after their victory over Adrian Boothroyd's side ensured Palace were not the only team who could be caught.

Yet McCarthy insists his side must focus on ensuring they keep their side of the bargain on what promises to be a nail-biting afternoon at Molineux.

"Watford losing at the weekend certainly helped, I'd sooner have two teams to catch than one. It increases the odds of getting into the play-offs," he added.

"Let's just worry about Plymouth, nothing else. I will not change that mantra.

"I've been here nearly two years, if you know me by now then you'll know my approach to the game is like this all the time. Not just now.

"I don't get rocking drunk when we've won and I don't break down and cry if we lose. I've been round the block once or twice, there's no point."

TeamTalk / Eurosport