‘Four-midable’ Wolves romped to a right royal victory as Reading decided to enjoy the festive season a little too early.

A high profile game - with Reading riding high in the league and the bitterness of their playoff semi final defeat eighteen months ago, the expectations were high for a classy game of high tempo football; sadly it never really materialised.

With Reading barely able to half fill their South bank allocation, it was left to Wolves fans to make the noise- this never really materialised either, as probably the lowest crowd of the season failed to raise the volume.

The team virtually picks itself now as Miller still struggles to get a game, whilst Ince is still confined to the treatment room for an infected toe - or do you believe the press about his falling out with Gray??

Reading started the game brightly as they forced an early corner off a deflected shot which bounced off Kennedy. That corner was easily sorted only for Kennedy to concede another corner in only the third minute. This corner was flicked on by the ex-Wolves midfielder and Icelandic international, Ingimarson to find an unmarked Kitson who somehow managed to head over from 3 yards out. Andrews then glanced a header just wide before the game swung again into Wolves' box as a mistake by Lowe let in Reading whose strike was well saved by the in form keeper Oakes.

With the game bouncing from end to end in a game full of mistakes, Oakes was again forced to make a fine save, tipping the ball over the bar from a fierce drive. Shortly afterwards Oakes had to make a fine reaction save from a header from 6 yards out. The royals' captain was then stretcher off in what seemed a very innocuous challenge and Wolves almost scored as the visitors were temporarily down to ten men. Wolves won a corner which Cort's snapshot from the clearance almost forced its way into the bottom corner. Wolves seemed to be gaining the edge and after more attacks from both teams, Wolves took the lead. A long clearance finally made its way to George, who cleverly hooked the ball into the path of Cameron, who turned a defender easily to place the ball in the far corner out of the keepers reach. Wolves 1 Reading 0

Wolves almost doubled the lead two minutes later as a smart control and tee up by Sturridge saw his volley inched high of the bar. More pressure from Reading saw another fine Oakes save, before Lowe hooked the ball off the line following yet another Reading corner. However on the stroke of halftime, Wolves doubled their lead as some neat interplay by Wolves found George who danced past a static Reading defence to fire home in fine style. Wolves 2 Reading 0

Half Time Wolves 2 Reading 0

The halftime antics changed and as a Reading and Wolves fan were picked out to run from the halfway line blindfolded (in a wolves scarf!) to try and score - it proved to be pretty funny as both fans were humiliated in front of 25,000 fans - Wolves lost that round but I was hopeful for a better result in the second half.

Again reading started the brighter of the two teams and were promptly back in it as a Reading player found a way through the offside trap to fire home from a tight angle. Wolves 2 Reading 1 and the nerves started showing all around the ground. The goal seemed to wake up the royals and Wolves were certainly on the back foot as Kennedy, Lescott and Oakes all had to beat away attempts. It seemed all Reading with Wolves restricted to the odd breakaway, with them seemingly struggling particularly in the midfield. Sturridge was replaced Leon Clarke midway through the second half as he still seems to be struggling with a hamstring injury.

A comedy moment next, which I'm sure will be shown on some "own goals and Gaffs" DVD as Lescott and Sidwell chased a ball out of play, unfortunately the reading player could not stop in time and barged into a linesman which sent him sprawling onto his backside! Shortly afterwards Cort had the ball in the net only for it to be ruled out for offside. The Wolves fans were incensed next as Gray subbed George (Wolves' best player on the day) for Naylor, in a tactical switch which saw Kennedy move forward more and Naylor in his natural left back position. Wolves fans sang "you don't know what you are doing to the caretaker coach, as not because of tactics but surely Andrews was not having a good game?

However the tactical switch proved to be a bonus as on 77 mins Clarke took advantage of a dithering defender to snatch the ball off him and power home from the acutest of angles. Wolves 3 Reading 1 and relief all around Molineux. With time drifting out a long hoof upfield found Cort whose neat flick on found Clarke unmarked and the young striker made no mistake from 15 yards out to smash the ball home.Wolves 4 Reading 1

In truth the score-line flattered a pretty poor performance. If the Royals had put on their scoring boots instead of borrowing the rat Camara's boots then I'm pretty sure the score-line would have been reversed. However if we can win this heavily playing badly then I will settle for some more until the confidence can come flowing back.

With some "winnable games" in December and with the division so tight, it would only need a run of a few good results to be in the thick of it. I can but hope but with the board reluctant to appoint a new manager, on this performance it will prove to be a difficult task.

Full Time Wolves 4 Reading 1