Championship Report: Bluebirds Mauled by Wolves - WOLVES 3 CITY 0

CARDIFF CITY's forlorn play-off hopes went from mathematical improbability to mathematical certainty tonight with a 3-0 whalloping at Molineux to Wolverhampton Wanderers in which Cardiff played well and had most of the ball - until they got within 25 yards of goal where they were clueless lacking pace and options - while they were clinically punished at the other end as Wolves created little but scored every time.

I've been unwell for a few days so didn't make the trip but wouldn't have bothered if ok as it was a "bubble" coach only game and City had nothing to play for. Little wonder only 300 City fans, at most, showed up. Also missing was boss Dave Jones, ill with a chest infection, he probably won't have lost too much sleep over having to stay at home. Terry Gibson was in charge.

With attacking resources in a mess, thankfully Paul Parry is back in training, City opted for a 4-4-1-1 system with Joe Ledley playing behind Hasselbaink and, later, Thommo. It never worked, it is pretty desparate.

Cardiff's side were Enckleman, McNaughton-Johnson-Loovens-Capaldi, Whittingham-Rae-McPhail-Ramsey, Ledley, Hasselbaink.

City started well but were behind on 8 minutes as ANDY KEOGH headed home a cross, simple stuff.

The rest of the half belonged to City as they had well over 60% of possession and played the football that was easy on the eye but they offered nothing in the final third and rarely threatened to bother the ageing slown centre-half duo of Craddock and Breen for the home side. It's been the story far too often this season.

To make it worse, Wolves dobled their lead on half-time as City cleared one cross but not the danger, a second cross saw EBANKS-BLAKE head home his 24th of the season. What we've give to have someone who had half that total.

Any remaining interest in listening to the game on the radio - as I was - ended on 55 minutes as Enckleman saved an Ebanks-Blake shot but KIGHTLY was first to react and sweot home the rebound.

The rest of the game, in a highly subdued atmostphere in the 20,862 crowd, was little more than a runabout, Wolves happy with their position, Cardiff happy to avoid further damage. A consolatioon was denied by Wayne Hennessey making late saves, one apparently stunning from Hasselbaink.

All the talk of the play-offs are City are likely to end in perfect mid-table obscurity yet again. In 13th place with 15 wibns, 15 draws, 14 defeats and +1 goal difference, almost perfect symmetry.