Jorgen Strand Larsen insists Wolves must go to the Etihad and play their own game and not change approach, despite the threat Manchester City will inevitably pose.
The 25-year-old has been instrumental in Wolves’ six-match winning run, scoring six goals in as many games, with his latest coming last time out against Leicester City, meaning he and the team travel to Manchester in a positive frame of mind.
In City, Wolves face their toughest test of the recent months, but with Strand Larsen and Matheus Cunha, they travel with two in-form attackers, and the Norwegian is relishing the challenge, having come so close to beating City back in October.
On facing Man City at the Etihad
“It was a sad end to the game [at Molineux], and I felt like that was the first half of our season, every game ended in a bad way, even though we played a good game. We had a 1-0 lead for a long time, and then they snatched all three points at the end, so that was annoying. Going into this game, it's going to be tough. It’s one of the best teams in the world, great players, but we want to be ourselves, and we have to see after the game how it's gone.
“We can go there to win if we play a really good game, but we can also play a good game and lose. So, the most important thing for us is to keep on going and try to be ourselves, not changing anything, and that's the message from the Gaffer, to be ourselves, not trying to be different. We want to keep the ball, try to go there and create something and be dangerous, but at the same time, we need to watch that they don't run over us with the good players.”
On turning the season around
“Mostly for us it's been consistency. Believing in what we do is good, because I think since Vitor came in, the gaffer came in, I think they've had good plans. It took some time to show what we really wanted to do and now everyone's comfortable in their positions, in the style of play, and then it feels easier to play football games.
“Changing manager in the middle of the season, when you're in a relegation battle, is tough because you need the results straight away. We started really well, we beat Leicester and Man United after he came in and took a point and Tottenham. Then we had tough games after the new year and lost a few which killed the confidence a little bit again. But now, as you can see, we're on a good run, and I feel like we're now where we should be.”
A 13th @premierleague goal of the season for JSL!
— Wolves (@Wolves) April 27, 2025
🇳🇴🙌 pic.twitter.com/ngcNzapGyU
On his partnership with Cunha
“For a nine, it’s the best player around you. I think that this team has a lot of them. We have Pablo Sarabia, JJ Bellegarde, we have a lot of players in that kind of role that can give a cross or final pass, and then it’s for me to finish off and I just wish I scored every ball I got, and I would be on 30 goals this season, so that's something to improve for next year.
“But obviously I'm happy with my goals this season, and important goals also, that's the most important thing. I've always put the team first, and I think that's for Matheus too. He’s scored in crucial moments, and that's been the most important thing for us this season. At the end of the season, you can count up how many you’ve got, but I think now getting out of that relegation battle has been a big relief for all of us.”
On a productive first season
“I'm pleased. Of course, I think every striker wants to hit double figures in their first season, even if you're champions or in a relegation battle team, you want to hit double figures. I’ve got that now, but I want to keep improving and keep getting better. I know that I can do that, but obviously for a first season you can't expect everything to go well. A lot of ups and downs and some injuries.
“It’s been quite a long season mentally, playing a lot of finals where you need the points to stay in the battle, we're not pushing for a 4-0 win, we're trying to keep a 1-0 because we need the points, and that makes sense. I feel like that has changed a little bit the last weeks, now we feel more comfortable, and we can attack a little bit more. Obviously, for me, that's great, and that just makes me able to score more goals.”
