As it stands, Wolves are in a relegation battle, and they desperately need talisman Jorgen Strand Larsen to raise his level.
After bagging 14 goals in his debut season in the Premier League, Strand Larsen has started the new campaign scoreless after six appearances.
He did manage a brace against West Ham in the Carabao Cup back in August, but has otherwise posed little threat to the opposition’s goal.
A lingering Achilles issue has hindered Strand Larsen for weeks, initially keeping him out and nagging at him since he has returned to the lineup.
Wolves have been toothless going forward this season, and could use the Norwegian’s clinical finishing as they look to claw their way back from the bottom of the standings. Strand Larsen acknowledges that it hasn’t been good enough so far, but hints at what is contributing to his frustrating form.
Jorgen Strand Larsen’s plea to new Wolves teammates
As Wolves gear up for a vital clash with Burnley at the weekend, Strand Larsen has reflected on how the last couple of months have unfolded.
In an interview with Sky Sports, the Wolves striker discussed potential explanations for his poor form, starting with the obvious: “We’ve had a rough start and at the same time I’ve been struggling with injuries.”
But that’s not the only reason the 25-year-old gives. He puts some of the onus on his new Wolves teammates, who have left him stranded up top at times.
He continues: “I think for the new players, they need to find that I’m not a striker dropping down 50 yards from goal, shooting into the top corner. I need service.
“We need to work on it. They need to know how to find me. And obviously, it’s taking a bit longer than we thought it would, but at the same time we’re getting closer.”
Wolves had to fend off Premier League interest over the summer, with Newcastle coming close to signing Strand Larsen. Fans were relieved to see him stay, but he hasn’t reached the same heights this season.
Watch Wolves for ten minutes, and it’s obvious he is being left isolated with no one stepping up to bridge the gap from midfield to attack.
Matheus Cunha’s absence continues to sting
Strand Larsen might not be the type of player who can make something from nothing. It’s a rare gift, and it’s what we all loved so much about Matheus Cunha.
Since his departure, there has been a void left in his wake. The Brazilian was that maverick who could indeed pick the ball up 50 yards from goal, and there were plenty of instances of him doing it at Molineux last season.
Strand Larsen is Wolves’ best attacker, almost by default. There simply isn’t anyone who has done nearly enough to challenge him for the title.
But the gap in quality between him and Cunha is perhaps greater than initially expected.
Cunha may have had just one more goal, but his overall impact on the game is what made him so special. It’s not to say Strand Larsen is worse than we thought, rather we may not have appreciated just how integral Cunha was to the side.