So what’s happened to strike sensation Mason?
...WHY THE IRISHMAN WON’T BE A THREAT TO HIS FORMER CARDIFF TEAM-MATES THIS WEEKEND
IT seems only yesterday that Joe Mason was helping Cardiff City into the play-offs under Malky Mackay, or sending thousands of Bluebirds fans into dreamland at Wembley.
After being snaffled from Plymouth Argyle for £250,000, the forward instantly became a Bluebirds favourite. He was quick, skillful and versatile, operating out wide, behind the striker or up front.
Yet his Cardiff career suddenly stalled. The goals dried up and there were loan moves to Bolton Wanderers that seemed to signal the end of his South Wales adventure.
Mason was one of those players who found consistency and fitness hard to maintain.
He had, though, started the 2015/16 season with the kind of intent that suggested he was going to fulfil his potential. Playing behind Kenwyne Jones, Mason had been one of the bright spots under Russell Slade — only for him to be sold when Wolves came calling with a £3m deal that January.
Still, there were plenty of fans who thought the sale represented a good deal for all parties, albeit tinged with the frustration of what might have been.
While Kadeem Harris and Joe Ralls – both brought to Cardiff at a young age with scope to develop — have recently flourished under Neil Warnock to fulfil their potential, Mason is the one that got away.
But how has he fared since leaving Cardiff City Stadium?
Ryan Leister is the Wolves fan pundit for the Birmingham Mail. He explains why Mason’s injury travails and inconsistent form has plagued his time at Molineux.
More than a year after his move, Mason is now battling for full fitness as Cardiff make the trip to Wolverhampton.
He hasn’t featured for Paul Lambert’s men since January 31.
And it has rarely been straightforward for Mason in the West Midlands.
Wolves have already had three managers in his time at the club: Kenny Jackett, Walter Zenga and Lambert — each with contrasting styles, philosophies and different preferences when it comes to striking options.
Nouha Dicko has been a near everpresent up front, while Lambert has brought former Aston Villa striker Andreas Weimann to the club with some success.
Leister explains just why Mason has found it tough.
“Mason hasn’t had a great time, he’s scored a couple of nice goals and had his best game for Wolves versus Villa, scoring the winner in a 1-0 win,” said Ryan.
“He’s got injured quite a lot, but when he’s played he’s often disappeared in games and looked lightweight.
“It was even reported that Wolves turned down £5m for Mason in the first window of the season.”
Whether Wolves would be willing to offload Mason at the end of the season remains to be seen.
But Wolves fans and pundits simply haven’t been enamoured with the 25-year-old.
Once renowned for his pace and knack of scoring a crucial goal — such as that strike in the 2012 League Cup final — his goal record for Wolves makes for more difficult reading.
Mason has bagged six times from 33 league appearances in 14 months.
That’s a far cry from the form back in 2011-12 that saw him earn regular callups to Republic of Ireland’s Under-21 squad, scoring 12 goals in his debut Bluebirds’ season.
But Leister explains why Mason may become surplus to requirements, at least in the eyes of supporters, if he cannot reclaim that glittering form.
“When he has time on the ball, he looks like he can hurt a side,” added Leister.
“But you aren’t often given that luxury in the Championship.
“If he left in the summer I wouldn’t be surprised or particularly bothered.”
Even if fully fit and firing, Mason would continue to find the Wolves first team a difficult nut to crack, according to Leister.
“I’m not sure he’d get it now,” he added.
“Mason’s best games were in the No.10 role and Ivan Cavaleiro will be in that slot on Saturday.
“He’s been tried out wide but rarely offered more than hard work
“As I said, clearly a good footballer if allowed to play in space but weak and easily bullied when it’s physical.”
If his observations are correct, travelling Bluebirds fans may not even glimpse Mason at Molineux this weekend, let alone watch him score.
The 25-year-old may have to drop down a level next season, and may struggle to recoup the form which lit up Cardiff City Stadium half a decade ago.