Wolves icon Dave Edwards has noticed one thing that needs to change within Vitor Pereira’s squad.
The Old Gold are loving life under their new manager, as Wolves’ chances of relegation have shrunk considerably since his arrival.
Before Pereira arrived, the squad were directionless under Gary O’Neil, calling for change to ensure Premier League survival was secured.
With a nine-point gap between the bottom three and Wolves after the win at Southampton, the relegation candidates are losing hope, giving Pereira the chance to finetune some issues within his squad.
Photo by Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Jorgen Strand Larsen compared to Raul Jimenez with key change outlined
Wolves fans acknowledged the step away from the relegation zone on what was a day to savour on the South Coast, with Jorgen Strand Larsen being the match-winner.
The Norweigan netted his eighth and ninth goals of the league season against the Saints, earning high praise as he took both of his goals well.
Former Wolves midfielder Dave Edwards was one figure to comment on Strand Larsen’s performance, where he suggested that change needs to happen to ensure that the Norweigan continues to perform.
“Wolves haven’t always played to his [Strand Larsen’s] strengths. Without Cunha in the team there was more impetus on crossing early against Southampton and the first goal came from that situation.
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“He might make 10 runs and only be found once but when he does get that one chance, the numbers show he is clinical,” Edwards said, via Express and Star.
The Wolves icon went on to share his wishes for Pereira to keep the faith in the striker, making a claim for the summer arrival giving the Old Gold what Raul Jimenez did.
“I hope that we can all stick with him because he is relatively young and in a new country but I think he’s got huge potential.
“He needs to improve his hold-up play, he needs to use his body better but I think he’s something that Wolves have really been missing in recent years since Raul Jimenez left.”
Strand Larsen’s first Premier League season compared to Jimenez’s
Jimenez was Wolves’ trusted target man in the number nine, something that Strand Larsen is starting to prove he can be for the Old Gold.
While the Mexican is held in the highest regard at Molineux, there’s evidence to suggest that the Norweigan can reach such levels based on what he’s doing in his first season.
Statistic Jorgen Strand Larsen 24/25 Raul Jimenez 18/19
Goals 9 13
Assists 2 7
Conversion % 23% 12%
Figures provided by Sofascore
In Jimenez’s first Premier League season at Wolves, the striker netted 13 goals with Strand Larsen four goals behind with nine games to go.
What stands out most about the summer signing is how he makes his efforts count, possessing a considerably higher conversion rate than Jimenez did in his first campaign.
While the signs are encouraging, Edwards’ praise for Strand Larsen didn’t come without some guidance, calling for some tweaks to be made to enhance the forward’s game.
After seeing what the number nine did on the South Coast, Pereira has the tools to make such changes over the international break, with Strand Larsen chasing double figures in his first Premier League campaign.