Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Cardiff City 0

So maybe, just maybe, Glenn Hoddle, the Wolverhampton Wanderers manager, has been right all along.

Despite all the doom and gloom, the countless draws, and the frustrating inconsistencies, Wolves are approach-ing the business end of the season still firmly in the running for a play-off place.

The chance of automatic promotion may have gone a long time ago, but there is still the lottery to win and at the moment Hoddle must fancy the odds.

The Wolves boss has always said that he considers this season to be like the Grand National: stumbling at the first few fences doesn't matter as long as you're in the running going into the final few furlongs. And his side seem to have hit their stride just at the right time.

Denes Rosa's tap-in, and Kenny Miller's penalty stretched Wolves' unbeaten run to seven games, and the emphatic 2-0 win over Cardiff, combined with Preston North End's draw at Brighton and Hove Albion, has elevated Hoddle's side into the top six.

Hoddle must take much of the credit for the triumph. There have been times this season when he has been found wanting tactically, most notably against Manchester United in the FA Cup. Against Cardiff, however, the tactics were perfect.

Employing Lee Naylor and Kenny Miller as wing-backs gave Wolves time and space to play, and they used both those assets to perfection, tearing Cardiff apart at will.

Not that the visitors put up much of a fight. Lacking in ideas going forward, they rarely tested Wolves' goal-keeper Stefan Postma, and the Wolves defence are unlikely to have such an easy 90 minutes for a while.

"I think it was one of our best performances all season," said Hoddle.

"It was a high-energy performance and in the end we might have won it by three or four. But we're delighted with a clean sheet, delighted with the way we played, and obviously delighted with the three points.

"I've always said that this Championship, over 46 games is like the National.

"What you do over the first mile, the first few fences is immaterial. But I think the season starts now for every club, whether you're down the bottom or going for the playoffs. This is key time.

"The performance and the results have come around at just the right time.

"We've always had that belief that we can get in the top six and stay there. And I think now everyone else can believe that as well."

Which is not to say that everything is rosy. There must still be a note of caution attached to the current state of affairs.

As a side Wolves are still deeply inconsistent, the past week has proved that beyond all doubt. And while the team may well be capable of gaining promotion to the top flight, questions remain as to whether the club is suitably equipped to stay there.

On Saturday, Wolves' three best players were Miller, Jeremie Aliadiere, and Joleon Lescott. Of these Miller is going to Scotland, Aliadiere is only on-loan from Arsenal, and Lescott?

The central defender is not long for this division no matter what Wolves do this season, and it may even be beyond them to keep him should they cross the finish line.

Worst-case scenario sees Hoddle being deprived of all three. In that situation a bare minimum of £30 million would be needed to even have a stab at survival.

Given the failings of the club the last time, it is difficult to say what would happen. But that is all for the future.

For the time being, Wolves are in the top six and for once are looking like a side that believes it not only belongs there, but is capable of the strong finish necessary to pull away from the chasing pack.

Despite the hurdles that lie ahead, it may be best to sit back and enjoy the ride.