It has been a frustrating season for Jorgen Strand Larsen, who has been the subject of some discussion on social media after he scored for Norway against Italy.
Jorgen Strand Larsen enjoyed a fantastic debut season for Wolves, scoring 14 non-penalty goals in the Premier League.
His efforts led many to call him one of the signings of the season, and the number nine quickly became a hit with the Molineux faithful.
But it’s been a different story in 2025/26.
Strand Larsen has scored just one Premier League goal so far, and has really suffered as a result of key players such as Matheus Cunha, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Pablo Sarabia leaving the club in the summer.
There was also that pursuit by Newcastle United, which perhaps messed with Strand Larsen’s head. In the end, no move happened and the striker signed a new contract, which has perhaps brought about new pressure to deliver.
Last night, Strand Larsen turned out briefly for Norway in their World Cup qualifier against Italy and scored, leading to some Wolves fans to defend him.
Wolves fans defend under-fire Jorgen Strand Larsen after goal vs Italy
Strand Larsen has not made much of an impact this season for Wolves, and has been criticised at times for lacking influence.
Some have also questioned his body language at times.
But last night, Strand Larsen scored a brilliant goal for Norway shortly after coming on towards the end of the game.
Jorgen Strand Larsen hit his fourth goal on his 24th cap for Norway against Italy
It was mostly his own doing, as he collected the ball near the halfway line and drove towards the Italian box, before cutting inside and firing past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
For some Wolves fans, it was a reminder how devastating he can be and the feeling is that he has lacked proper service this term.
@wwfc_c: “He’s very clearly a clinical goalscorer when he’s in the right positions. However, the reason he’s not performing so well for us is because he has had pretty much no service all season.”
@pedalsingh: “He’s a finisher when he gets in front of goal with the ball. He proved that last season. He has clearly played with an injury, we constantly just pump it long and provide him with very little service.”
@Gary_Poynton: “Wait so he’s good when he’s actually given the ball in dangerous areas instead of chasing after hoofed clearances? Who knew!”
@wwfcjoe_: “This the guy our fans try to scapegoat with literally 0 service btw.”
Some fans are also now optimistic that this could be the potential catalyst for Strand Larsen to kick on.
@adamgj03: “My number 9 🐺 time for our fans to get off his back and let him get the confidence going so he can be back at the level we need him to be to have any hope of getting out this mess!”
@MolineuxExpress: “Need to see more of this from JSL in a Wolves shirt. If he has this ability, use it instead of having your back to goal which clearly may not be best suited for JSL. Superb goal and shows he’s near full fitness if not fully fit now. He needs to kick on under Rob Edwards.”
@CradleyWolves: “Hopefully (it will) give him and Wolfe confidence for us in the league.”
@CharlieShu23705: “Could do wonders for him this hopefully he kicks back on now under Edwards.”
- READ MORE: Who is Jorgen Strand Larsen? Meet the Wolves striker who has been compared to Erling Haaland
Strand Larsen revival is key to Wolves’ survival
Strand Larsen has come in for a lot of criticism in recent weeks, but there can be absolutely no denying that the quality around him is nowhere near what it was last season.
He might have done more, but the supply to him generally hasn’t been good enough, and this will be a big thing for Rob Edwards to fix.
Should Wolves have sold JSL to Newcastle in the summer?
The new manager has an almighty job on his hands, and if he is to give Wolves a chance of staying up then they need the goals to flow again from their number nine.
His goal against Italy was interesting. It is not the type of goal he usually scores, and it does suggest that he can just pick the ball up and make things happen if there is space. It doesn’t always have to be about picking him out in the box.