PICKING Wanderers up from this demoralising defeat might be the hardest thing Phil Parkinson has had to do since walking through the doors of the Macron Stadium.

In the main, the fans who backed Bolton to the hilt on Saturday afternoon still believe their club’s pursuit of survival is possible; the manager’s biggest issue is convincing his players of the same.

Fragile confidences were ruthlessly exposed by Wolves, who after dealing with the Whites’ early bluster hardly had to bare their teeth again to chalk up a most convincing score-line.

Four goals from Barry Douglas, Benik Afobe, Diogo Jota and Conor Coady put an ample exclamation mark on promotion, and on the two Wanderers' comparative situations right now.

In the rich and competitive rivalry between these two grand old clubs, there cannot have been too many times when the class gap was so painfully apparent.

Wolves are Premier League bound, deservedly crowned as champions, and destined for an exciting future built on significant foreign investment. Questions may be asked about the morality of their recruitment and the involvement of so-called 'Super Agent' Jorge Mendes, but no-one will argue they have brought a class of signing which has made the Championship a better league to watch this season.

By comparison there are big question marks against Bolton’s immediate future, which now depends entirely on the next 180 minutes of football, and Parkinson ability to quickly rid his team of a relegation stench which has materialised since the international break.

No-one is above criticism for how quickly things have unravelled since the win against Aston Villa and the snow on St Patrick’s Day. One point from six games has dragged Wanderers right back into the mire and by the time they take the field against Burton next weekend they may be in the bottom three.

Realistically, it would have been some shock to see Wolves beaten at the Macron. But what unfolded was the worst possible case scenario. Not only did their goal difference and confidence take a battering, results elsewhere also largely conspired against them. Barnsley’s defeat at Leeds United made sure the day was not a complete disaster – but Burton’s Lazarus-like rise has turned the pressure up on next weekend’s game beyond belief.

Only two changes were made from the team which drew at Barnsley yet Parkinson’s line-up still looks worryingly unsettled. Few players are there on form – and one who could previously have claimed that right, goalkeeper Ben Alnwick, will have to hold up his hands for a couple of uncharacteristic first-half errors.

For exactly 13 minutes the tone was right. Bolton had rolled-up their sleeves and looked ready to make sure this result was not a foregone conclusion.

Winger Fil Morais – one of precious few Bolton players to do themselves any form of justice on the day – caused problems with a few early set pieces, picking out Darren Pratley and Mark Beevers within a few minutes of each other. He also had a blast of his own over the top of John Ruddy's crossbar. But in truth, that is where the goal threat began and ended.

Once Alnwick parried Afobe’s weak shot into the path of Douglas on 16 minutes, allowing the striker to bury his angled shot into the net, the energy was sucked right out of the Macron.

Wolves doubled their lead before half time when Coady played Afobe in with a long ball over the top – how often such simplicity has undone Wanderers this season – after which the former Bolton loanee somehow wriggled around Alnwick and slid his shot past the covering defenders on the line. His celebrations, hand cupped to ear and directed at the home fans, seemed unnecessary and lacking in class.

Second half became about damage limitation. Jota’s brilliant chip on 53 minutes signalled the start of the party for the 5,000 travelling fans behind the goal, and Coady wrapped things up with a penalty, given for Karl Henry’s cheap foul on Afobe.

The Black Country boys may now, quite literally, be in a different league but their taunts in the final stages of what became an exhibition match cut deep. It is nice to see John McGinlay's name still evokes such passion 20 years on - you only wish someone in a Bolton shirt could have made a similar dent in the Wolves' psyche.

There is a vacancy for a Bolton hero right now but such a concerning lack of candidates willing to fill the role.

An almighty inquest is being prepared into Wanderers’ campaign, should the worst happen, not least their business in the January transfer window, which is now looking alarmingly poor.

Zach Clough’s token arrival off the bench with 11 minutes to go and his team 4-0 down was head-scratching to say the least, even if it saved Adam Le Fondre a spell of fruitless pursuit.

The Nottingham Forest loanee's lack of football when the Whites look in such dire need of a creative spark is unfathomable.

So too was the absence of Craig Noone, widely regarded as the catalyst for the Barnsley comeback, but again consigned to a rather pointless cameo and introduced as Coady took the penalty.

Jon Flanagan was the only player picked up in the transfer window to start the game, although the Liverpool loanee had a forgettable afternoon.

The less said about other January deals – Harry Charsley, Tyler Walker, Edu Obasi, Jan Kirchhoff – the better at this moment in time.

Right now the anger and blame must be put aside, for it will do no good with two games remaining.

Those lucky enough to get a ticket for the Pirelli Stadium next weekend will see a season-defining game, one way or another. And as always they will back their club loudly and proudly.

Wanderers need a favour from Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night against Barnsley and then they have to help themselves.

There are no more excuses left to give. Actions, not words, are the only things which can stop this season lurching into disaster.