The new number 9…
- Thread starter Buddha
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
The thing with the amount of crossing we do is missing the point though, we cross a lot because we run out of ideas and start pumping crosses into the box against crowded defenses, which usually leads to nothing. Of course it would be a useful asset for our striker to be good in the air, Bobby and Jota had/have always got the odd headed goal against the odds when we've needed it, but I think changing some of the approach play in and around the box is as important, we don't seem to create that much. I know the stats will say differently, but we don't seem to create that many clear cut opportunities. We've leveled off in terms of goal threat too, so it's not just about the goals, it's about turning that possession into something more incisive.
I agree, but I'd rather patch the hole in the boat I'm sitting on than going "maybe I need to rethink my travel arrangements".
Until we get that midfielder (or midfielders) who's going to provide those intricate passes into the box like, Odegaard, Silva, KDB and the rest manage to do, get someone who can head the ball.
Like Firmino or Suarez or Jota.
I really like Sesko but it feels like he has gone a bit backwards this season. There is a massive talent there though.
For the quoted 86 mill fee we have to be pretty certain that we can get the best out of him.
Feels like we just have to be sure that we hit on the 9 signing we make. As someone else said. Might have to pay a bit extra just to know you get a sure thing, if thats even possible.
For the quoted 86 mill fee we have to be pretty certain that we can get the best out of him.
Feels like we just have to be sure that we hit on the 9 signing we make. As someone else said. Might have to pay a bit extra just to know you get a sure thing, if thats even possible.
The irony of supposedly having an anti-English bias and now being a proponent of good 'ol fashioned English percentage hoof/football... Stockholm syndrome (in Stockholm?).
Have we though?
Just for the fun of it I checked the expected goals stats from every game we've played this season. Only once has a team created more than us in a league game. Everton away.
In the last 10 games we've still had the most shots in the league, most shots inside the box, created the 2nd most big chances and have the highest expected goals from the chances created.
In the last 5 games we're top of the same stats. Still with the most shots inside the box as well.
Thats not really the signs of a team running out of ideas and pumping crosses.
Maybe we're not easy on the eye for the last few months, but we're still creating more chances in all but one game.
We're the second best defensive side in the league as well, btw.
I don't know. It feels more like we're efficient and play with a type of control that people misread for an ability to struggle with breaking teams down. But when you look at it after the game we deserved to win and created the most chances regardless.
I tend to agree. I think we've dealt pretty well with low blocks in general. I certainly haven't often had that sinking feeling of knowing we won't score. It's all just a bit boringly efficient, if there is a problem.
He wanted to stay and develop in Germany until the time was right. He was only 19/20 when we signed Nunez and has knocked back moves to Arsenal and United previously. No idea what his personality is like.
What can I do? At least I'm adapting.
I dunno he looks like a douche
Based on nothing but youtube I'd say Sesko has more potential than Ekitike. I can at least imagine a great player emerging from those raw attributes, whereas I really struggle with Ekitike.
So, you want a Chris Wood type player, or whoever scores bag loads of headed goals these days?
Never said that, I just said that David is not good enough in the air. Was Firmino a Chris Woods type? Or Suarez?
I want an all-rounder in there.
Not some fucking modern Djibril Cissé.
Wood has 7. Next best in PL is Haaland with 4
Name a few Suarez or Firmino type players around?
Actually don't, I couldn't give a fiddlers.
Good for you
Slot likes that south American fire. Just a shame it can't be controlled(in Darwin at least)
Edit: just realised we both said slot. I meant klopp, and I presume you did too @Modo
I have no opinion on sesko. High ceiling, but is he one with the work ethic and desire to reach it? I'm seeing it with szob tbh. Vast potential, not really tapping in to it.
Half tempted just to stay away from red bull teams tbh. The rarely work out for us
Half tempted just to stay away from red bull teams tbh. The rarely work out for us
Firmino & Jota scored plenty with their head - which I think is Modo's nuance. They need to have more about them than scoring goals on the counter or only with their feet.
However - for David I think he would be back up and again like the Aina rumour it could be a good investment to spend more on an out and out starter
Focussing on headers is probably a minute detail considering what we lack from our central forward. I’m deliberately staying away from centre forward.
If we had a central forward scoring 5 non-set piece goals a season we would be ecstatic. But it’s the more overall capability I’m interested in.
That's what I said in my initial post. We need an all-rounder.
Hence why I used Firmino, Suarez and Jota as examples.
The last type of player we need is a Dijbril Cissé type. That's what I'm trying to say.
Same. I’m sure I mentioned a hybrid of Jota and Firmino or the next Suarez in my next post to yours.
Yes and it was liked.
Came across some articles/stats regarding Jorgen Strand Larsen. Anyone seen much of him?
Dated 24 Mar 2025:
www.bbc.com
Jorgen Strand Larsen's debut season with Wolves has been a mixed bag, combining undeniable potential with frustrating inconsistency.
Despite these challenges, the 25-year-old has shown he has the tools to become Wolves' leading number nine. His recent double against Southampton highlighted his quality, but consistency will be key if he is to push on for the remainder of this season and beyond.
One of Strand Larsen's most intriguing stats is his efficiency in front of goal. He has scored nine Premier League goals this season, and while his total of 39 shots may seem modest compared to others in his position, he has an exceptional 69% shot accuracy - 27 of those efforts have been on target.
This makes him the most accurate shooter in the entire league, a remarkable achievement for a first-year player. However, his relatively low shot volume suggests Wolves need to do better at creating chances to maximise his clinical edge.
Strand Larsen has faced criticism for missing key chances, with nine big opportunities squandered this season. While this has understandably frustrated fans, it is worth noting that even the best strikers in the game miss their fair share of sitters.
The real issue lies in the limited number of chances Strand Larsen is receiving. With fewer opportunities coming his way, every miss feels magnified.
The team must play to Strand Larsen's strengths by delivering frequent crosses and providing quick service into the box. His aerial presence and positional awareness could be game-changing, especially in the absence of Matheus Cunha, which creates space for Larsen to shine at the focal point of the attack.
Wolves' wingers and midfielders must rise to the occasion, ensuring their forward is not left isolated.
If Strand Larsen can build on his efficiency and confidence, Wolves may have a genuine star for next season. With sharper support from the squad and continued development, he could cement himself as a prolific striker in the Premier League.
Dated 15 Apr 2025:
www.bbc.com
How many strikers would describe scoring a Premier League goal as an "off day"? Jorgen Strand Larsen would.
Understandably Matheus Cunha grabbed a lot of the headlines following Wolves' victory over Spurs, not only for his goal from off the bench as he returned from a four-game suspension, but doing so a day on from a deleted social media post where the Brazilian appeared to once again suggest his future lies away from the club.
However, for me, we need to talk more about Strand Larsen.
The Norwegian's tap-in in front of the Sir Jack Hayward Stand was his 12th goal of the season and leaves him on track to become the first Wolves player to score in a fifth consecutive Premier League appearance when they head to Manchester United on Sunday.
Since the days of peak Raul Jimenez, the club have struggled to find an out-and-out striker capable of scoring regularly. There was hope Fabio Silva would become the main man, especially given a then club record fee of £35m was paid to secure the teenage prodigy back in 2020. He looks set to depart Molineux this summer having not been seen in the gold and black for almost 18 months, and with a derisory tally of five goals in 74 appearances.
Alan Shearer's analysis of Strand Larsen's performance during last weekend's victory at Ipswich was as follows: "His hold-up play was excellent, his touch and control were superb." It was an assessment which you could easily copy and paste into Sunday's match report. Erling Haaland was more concise with his appraisal: "Mannnn" followed by two fire emojis when responding to his international team-mate's social media post.
When speaking to Strand Larsen afterwards, rather than indulge in praise regarding his individual contribution, I found him to be admirably self-deprecating. Form of five goals in his past four games he says is down to "my team-mates", and he said it was "nice to be close to such a legend" when I pointed out he was just one shy of Jimenez's club record for the total scored by a Wolves player during a debut Premier League season.
In what was a largely jovial post-match press conference with boss Vitor Pereira, he could not have been more steely when refusing to answer questions about Wolves now being safe from relegation: "If I start to speak about being safe then I am not being ambitious. I did not come to England, to the Premier League, to work just to avoid relegation. I am not this kind of coach."
Given only eight other clubs have players who have currently scored more Premier League goals than Strand Larsen this season, I feel he has already proven himself more than capable of helping Pereira target those desired loftier ambitions in the future.
Dated 7 Apr 2025
www.skysports.com
Exclude penalties and there are now only six players in the Premier League who have scored more goals than Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen this season. One of those is team-mate Matheus Cunha whose absence through suspension risked costing Wolves.
Instead, Wolves have picked up 10 points from their four matches without him, culminating in Saturday's 2-1 win against Ipswich at Portman Road that ended any fears of relegation. Strand Larsen scored the winner. It was his fourth goal in three games.
His role in the equaliser was actually even more impressive, cleverly timing his run to beat the offside trap. It was reminiscent of his late equaliser at Tottenham in December, but this time he held the ball and picked out Pablo Sarabia on the edge of the area.
Strand Larsen's hold-up play is not flawless but he has done so on 71 occasions this season - the most by any Premier League player. Crucially, he has looked less isolated under Vitor Pereira - and particularly since the arrival of Marshall Munetsi in support.
"Now Munetsi is playing close to him," Pereira explained, "creating spaces, attacking spaces every time, supporting the first ball. What we felt before was that when Larsen receives the first ball, the man close to him to support this ball was not there.
"Now they have a physical player that runs a lot, creating spaces every time in the box with him. It means that when the cross comes, the markers a lot of time go with Munetsi and Larsen is free to finish, and this is teamwork." No Cunha then, but no problem for Wolves.
=====
In La Liga last season, eight of his 13 goals for Celta Vigo were scored from inside the six-yard box. No player in Spain’s top division took more shots (18) or found the net more often in that part of the pitch in 2023-24.
Dated 20 Oct 2024
www.skysports.com
Fernando Torres, like Ibrahimovic, had been another hero of his when he was younger - even naming his cat after the striker. Working with Torres' former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez while at Celta Vigo was an important step in his development.
He credits the influence of Benitez in helping him to find the space to free himself of defenders. "Those details, he taught me a lot of movements inside the box. It is why I scored so many goals."
Dated 24 Mar 2025:
Wolves news: Opinion - Jacob Strand Larsen could be 'a genuine star for next season'
Wolves news: Opinion - Jacob Strand Larsen could be 'a genuine star for next season'
www.bbc.com
Jorgen Strand Larsen's debut season with Wolves has been a mixed bag, combining undeniable potential with frustrating inconsistency.
Despite these challenges, the 25-year-old has shown he has the tools to become Wolves' leading number nine. His recent double against Southampton highlighted his quality, but consistency will be key if he is to push on for the remainder of this season and beyond.
One of Strand Larsen's most intriguing stats is his efficiency in front of goal. He has scored nine Premier League goals this season, and while his total of 39 shots may seem modest compared to others in his position, he has an exceptional 69% shot accuracy - 27 of those efforts have been on target.
This makes him the most accurate shooter in the entire league, a remarkable achievement for a first-year player. However, his relatively low shot volume suggests Wolves need to do better at creating chances to maximise his clinical edge.
Strand Larsen has faced criticism for missing key chances, with nine big opportunities squandered this season. While this has understandably frustrated fans, it is worth noting that even the best strikers in the game miss their fair share of sitters.
The real issue lies in the limited number of chances Strand Larsen is receiving. With fewer opportunities coming his way, every miss feels magnified.
The team must play to Strand Larsen's strengths by delivering frequent crosses and providing quick service into the box. His aerial presence and positional awareness could be game-changing, especially in the absence of Matheus Cunha, which creates space for Larsen to shine at the focal point of the attack.
Wolves' wingers and midfielders must rise to the occasion, ensuring their forward is not left isolated.
If Strand Larsen can build on his efficiency and confidence, Wolves may have a genuine star for next season. With sharper support from the squad and continued development, he could cement himself as a prolific striker in the Premier League.
Dated 15 Apr 2025:
Wolves news: Alan Shearer praises 'nuisance' Jorgen Strand Larsen
Wolves news: Alan Shearer praises 'nuisance' Jorgen Strand Larsen
www.bbc.com
How many strikers would describe scoring a Premier League goal as an "off day"? Jorgen Strand Larsen would.
Understandably Matheus Cunha grabbed a lot of the headlines following Wolves' victory over Spurs, not only for his goal from off the bench as he returned from a four-game suspension, but doing so a day on from a deleted social media post where the Brazilian appeared to once again suggest his future lies away from the club.
However, for me, we need to talk more about Strand Larsen.
The Norwegian's tap-in in front of the Sir Jack Hayward Stand was his 12th goal of the season and leaves him on track to become the first Wolves player to score in a fifth consecutive Premier League appearance when they head to Manchester United on Sunday.
Since the days of peak Raul Jimenez, the club have struggled to find an out-and-out striker capable of scoring regularly. There was hope Fabio Silva would become the main man, especially given a then club record fee of £35m was paid to secure the teenage prodigy back in 2020. He looks set to depart Molineux this summer having not been seen in the gold and black for almost 18 months, and with a derisory tally of five goals in 74 appearances.
Alan Shearer's analysis of Strand Larsen's performance during last weekend's victory at Ipswich was as follows: "His hold-up play was excellent, his touch and control were superb." It was an assessment which you could easily copy and paste into Sunday's match report. Erling Haaland was more concise with his appraisal: "Mannnn" followed by two fire emojis when responding to his international team-mate's social media post.
When speaking to Strand Larsen afterwards, rather than indulge in praise regarding his individual contribution, I found him to be admirably self-deprecating. Form of five goals in his past four games he says is down to "my team-mates", and he said it was "nice to be close to such a legend" when I pointed out he was just one shy of Jimenez's club record for the total scored by a Wolves player during a debut Premier League season.
In what was a largely jovial post-match press conference with boss Vitor Pereira, he could not have been more steely when refusing to answer questions about Wolves now being safe from relegation: "If I start to speak about being safe then I am not being ambitious. I did not come to England, to the Premier League, to work just to avoid relegation. I am not this kind of coach."
Given only eight other clubs have players who have currently scored more Premier League goals than Strand Larsen this season, I feel he has already proven himself more than capable of helping Pereira target those desired loftier ambitions in the future.
Dated 7 Apr 2025
Andy Robertson's Liverpool decline, Youri Tielemans' passing and Jorgen Strand Larsen's form in The Debrief
In The Debrief, Adam Bate looks at Andy Robertsons latest struggles even as Liverpool close in on the Premier League title, Youri Tielemans passing under pressure for Aston Villa and Jorgen Strand Larsens key role for Wolves without Matheus Cunha
Exclude penalties and there are now only six players in the Premier League who have scored more goals than Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen this season. One of those is team-mate Matheus Cunha whose absence through suspension risked costing Wolves.
Instead, Wolves have picked up 10 points from their four matches without him, culminating in Saturday's 2-1 win against Ipswich at Portman Road that ended any fears of relegation. Strand Larsen scored the winner. It was his fourth goal in three games.
His role in the equaliser was actually even more impressive, cleverly timing his run to beat the offside trap. It was reminiscent of his late equaliser at Tottenham in December, but this time he held the ball and picked out Pablo Sarabia on the edge of the area.
Strand Larsen's hold-up play is not flawless but he has done so on 71 occasions this season - the most by any Premier League player. Crucially, he has looked less isolated under Vitor Pereira - and particularly since the arrival of Marshall Munetsi in support.
"Now Munetsi is playing close to him," Pereira explained, "creating spaces, attacking spaces every time, supporting the first ball. What we felt before was that when Larsen receives the first ball, the man close to him to support this ball was not there.
"Now they have a physical player that runs a lot, creating spaces every time in the box with him. It means that when the cross comes, the markers a lot of time go with Munetsi and Larsen is free to finish, and this is teamwork." No Cunha then, but no problem for Wolves.
=====
In La Liga last season, eight of his 13 goals for Celta Vigo were scored from inside the six-yard box. No player in Spain’s top division took more shots (18) or found the net more often in that part of the pitch in 2023-24.
Dated 20 Oct 2024
Jorgen Strand Larsen interview: Wolves striker talks Erling Haaland, Milan move and turning things around at Molineux
In this exclusive interview with Wolves Jorgen Strand Larsen, he discusses his move to Milan as a teenager, a tricky start at Molineux and trying to get inside Erling Haalands head; watch Wolves vs Man City on Sky Sports this Sunday from 1pm; kick-off 2pm
Fernando Torres, like Ibrahimovic, had been another hero of his when he was younger - even naming his cat after the striker. Working with Torres' former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez while at Celta Vigo was an important step in his development.
He credits the influence of Benitez in helping him to find the space to free himself of defenders. "Those details, he taught me a lot of movements inside the box. It is why I scored so many goals."
We need to be careful. Most of these players names floating around aren't top drawer IMO. We could be swapping duck eggs for duck eggs here.
Nunez I'd happily get rid of, he's god awful. Jota no chance when you look at some of the replacement names.
I don't care what anyone says, Kane is the one to go after. Give them Nunez and £40M, that's like getting him on a free. He'll score 30 goals a season for the next 3 years. Sniff round and he'll demand a move back to Blighty.
Nunez I'd happily get rid of, he's god awful. Jota no chance when you look at some of the replacement names.
I don't care what anyone says, Kane is the one to go after. Give them Nunez and £40M, that's like getting him on a free. He'll score 30 goals a season for the next 3 years. Sniff round and he'll demand a move back to Blighty.
Paging @HansernCame across some articles/stats regarding Jorgen Strand Larsen. Anyone seen much of him?
Dated 24 Mar 2025:
Wolves news: Opinion - Jacob Strand Larsen could be 'a genuine star for next season'
Wolves news: Opinion - Jacob Strand Larsen could be 'a genuine star for next season'
Jorgen Strand Larsen's debut season with Wolves has been a mixed bag, combining undeniable potential with frustrating inconsistency.
Despite these challenges, the 25-year-old has shown he has the tools to become Wolves' leading number nine. His recent double against Southampton highlighted his quality, but consistency will be key if he is to push on for the remainder of this season and beyond.
One of Strand Larsen's most intriguing stats is his efficiency in front of goal. He has scored nine Premier League goals this season, and while his total of 39 shots may seem modest compared to others in his position, he has an exceptional 69% shot accuracy - 27 of those efforts have been on target.
This makes him the most accurate shooter in the entire league, a remarkable achievement for a first-year player. However, his relatively low shot volume suggests Wolves need to do better at creating chances to maximise his clinical edge.
Strand Larsen has faced criticism for missing key chances, with nine big opportunities squandered this season. While this has understandably frustrated fans, it is worth noting that even the best strikers in the game miss their fair share of sitters.
The real issue lies in the limited number of chances Strand Larsen is receiving. With fewer opportunities coming his way, every miss feels magnified.
The team must play to Strand Larsen's strengths by delivering frequent crosses and providing quick service into the box. His aerial presence and positional awareness could be game-changing, especially in the absence of Matheus Cunha, which creates space for Larsen to shine at the focal point of the attack.
Wolves' wingers and midfielders must rise to the occasion, ensuring their forward is not left isolated.
If Strand Larsen can build on his efficiency and confidence, Wolves may have a genuine star for next season. With sharper support from the squad and continued development, he could cement himself as a prolific striker in the Premier League.
View attachment 3995View attachment 3996
Dated 15 Apr 2025:
Wolves news: Alan Shearer praises 'nuisance' Jorgen Strand Larsen
Wolves news: Alan Shearer praises 'nuisance' Jorgen Strand Larsen
How many strikers would describe scoring a Premier League goal as an "off day"? Jorgen Strand Larsen would.
Understandably Matheus Cunha grabbed a lot of the headlines following Wolves' victory over Spurs, not only for his goal from off the bench as he returned from a four-game suspension, but doing so a day on from a deleted social media post where the Brazilian appeared to once again suggest his future lies away from the club.
However, for me, we need to talk more about Strand Larsen.
The Norwegian's tap-in in front of the Sir Jack Hayward Stand was his 12th goal of the season and leaves him on track to become the first Wolves player to score in a fifth consecutive Premier League appearance when they head to Manchester United on Sunday.
Since the days of peak Raul Jimenez, the club have struggled to find an out-and-out striker capable of scoring regularly. There was hope Fabio Silva would become the main man, especially given a then club record fee of £35m was paid to secure the teenage prodigy back in 2020. He looks set to depart Molineux this summer having not been seen in the gold and black for almost 18 months, and with a derisory tally of five goals in 74 appearances.
Alan Shearer's analysis of Strand Larsen's performance during last weekend's victory at Ipswich was as follows: "His hold-up play was excellent, his touch and control were superb." It was an assessment which you could easily copy and paste into Sunday's match report. Erling Haaland was more concise with his appraisal: "Mannnn" followed by two fire emojis when responding to his international team-mate's social media post.
When speaking to Strand Larsen afterwards, rather than indulge in praise regarding his individual contribution, I found him to be admirably self-deprecating. Form of five goals in his past four games he says is down to "my team-mates", and he said it was "nice to be close to such a legend" when I pointed out he was just one shy of Jimenez's club record for the total scored by a Wolves player during a debut Premier League season.
In what was a largely jovial post-match press conference with boss Vitor Pereira, he could not have been more steely when refusing to answer questions about Wolves now being safe from relegation: "If I start to speak about being safe then I am not being ambitious. I did not come to England, to the Premier League, to work just to avoid relegation. I am not this kind of coach."
Given only eight other clubs have players who have currently scored more Premier League goals than Strand Larsen this season, I feel he has already proven himself more than capable of helping Pereira target those desired loftier ambitions in the future.
Dated 7 Apr 2025
Andy Robertson's Liverpool decline, Youri Tielemans' passing and Jorgen Strand Larsen's form in The Debrief
In The Debrief, Adam Bate looks at Andy Robertsons latest struggles even as Liverpool close in on the Premier League title, Youri Tielemans passing under pressure for Aston Villa and Jorgen Strand Larsens key role for Wolves without Matheus Cunha
Exclude penalties and there are now only six players in the Premier League who have scored more goals than Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen this season. One of those is team-mate Matheus Cunha whose absence through suspension risked costing Wolves.
Instead, Wolves have picked up 10 points from their four matches without him, culminating in Saturday's 2-1 win against Ipswich at Portman Road that ended any fears of relegation. Strand Larsen scored the winner. It was his fourth goal in three games.
View attachment 3994
His role in the equaliser was actually even more impressive, cleverly timing his run to beat the offside trap. It was reminiscent of his late equaliser at Tottenham in December, but this time he held the ball and picked out Pablo Sarabia on the edge of the area.
Strand Larsen's hold-up play is not flawless but he has done so on 71 occasions this season - the most by any Premier League player. Crucially, he has looked less isolated under Vitor Pereira - and particularly since the arrival of Marshall Munetsi in support.
View attachment 3992View attachment 3993
"Now Munetsi is playing close to him," Pereira explained, "creating spaces, attacking spaces every time, supporting the first ball. What we felt before was that when Larsen receives the first ball, the man close to him to support this ball was not there.
"Now they have a physical player that runs a lot, creating spaces every time in the box with him. It means that when the cross comes, the markers a lot of time go with Munetsi and Larsen is free to finish, and this is teamwork." No Cunha then, but no problem for Wolves.
=====
In La Liga last season, eight of his 13 goals for Celta Vigo were scored from inside the six-yard box. No player in Spain’s top division took more shots (18) or found the net more often in that part of the pitch in 2023-24.
View attachment 3997
Dated 20 Oct 2024
Jorgen Strand Larsen interview: Wolves striker talks Erling Haaland, Milan move and turning things around at Molineux
In this exclusive interview with Wolves Jorgen Strand Larsen, he discusses his move to Milan as a teenager, a tricky start at Molineux and trying to get inside Erling Haalands head; watch Wolves vs Man City on Sky Sports this Sunday from 1pm; kick-off 2pm
Fernando Torres, like Ibrahimovic, had been another hero of his when he was younger - even naming his cat after the striker. Working with Torres' former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez while at Celta Vigo was an important step in his development.
He credits the influence of Benitez in helping him to find the space to free himself of defenders. "Those details, he taught me a lot of movements inside the box. It is why I scored so many goals."
Missing lots of big chances is supposedly a good metric for a CF (I learned it from listening to 1000 discussions of Darwin) and shooting from as close to goal as possible is also good. Naming his cat after Torres is all that counts, however.