Wolves manager Vitor Pereira has heaped praise on striker Jorgen Strand Larsen and explained the qualities he loves even more than his goals.
After a difficult start to the Premier League season that saw Gary O’Neil sacked, Wolves are on the cusp of securing their top-flight status.
New manager Vitor Pereira has turned the side’s fortunes around since arriving in December, with the club four points adrift from safety.
Wolves are still 17th in the Premier League table but are now nine points above Ipswich Town and can stretch that lead to 12 when the sides meet on Saturday.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 15 |  EvertonEverton | 30 | 7 | 13 | 10 | 32 | 37 | -5 | 34 |
| 16 |  West HamWest Ham | 30 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 33 | 50 | -17 | 34 |
| 17 |  WolvesWolves | 30 | 8 | 5 | 17 | 41 | 58 | -17 | 29 |
| 18 |  IpswichIpswich | 30 | 4 | 8 | 18 | 30 | 63 | -33 | 20 |
| 19 |  LeicesterLeicester | 30 | 4 | 5 | 21 | 25 | 67 | -42 | 17 |
The form of striker Jorgen Strand Larsen has also been crucial to Wolves’ revival, with the Norwegian scoring 10 goals this season.
Strand Larsen has bagged all of Wolves’ last three goals to pick up massive wins over Southampton and West Ham, but Pereria says it’s his pressing that impresses him even more.
Vitor Periera praises Jorgan Strand Larsen’s work rate
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the massive match, Periera said: “When we look for a striker, we look for someone to score goals but he’s the first man on the pitch that starts our pressing.
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“If he does not know how to do it or if he doesn’t have this character to sacrifice himself to help the team, for sure, it will not be the striker I am looking for.
“I don’t look for a striker just for a guy to score goals or go ‘okay, I scored my goal.’ No, it’s up to you. I don’t like this kind of striker.
“My striker must be a fighter. Must be someone who is the first one to start defending and, of course, the responsibility is not only to score goals.
“He [Strand Larsen] has this spirit and this character, he’s a player that I like the profile of.”
Wolves need Strand Larsen to score again in massive fixture
Pereira is not being complacent and insists the relegation battle is not over until everything is confirmed, but Saturday’s game feels absolutely pivotal.
If the Black and Gold can steal a 12-point march on Ipswich, then that sort of gap is surely insurmountable for a team that has just four wins all season,
Wolves need to get the three points first, though, and it would be very handy if Strang Larsen’s hot streak in front of goal continues.
Speaking on the game, Pereira added: “Tomorrow is an important game, but if we win tomorrow it’s not finished, this is a mistake. I want my team competing for every point in the league.
“It’s not over until the end. I’ve said it before, it’s a league that can surprise you. Ipswich have the quality to fight for a lot of points. Tomorrow, I feel my team is confident and consistent. For sure, we will compete.”