Five things we learned from Wolves’ win over Ipswich: Jorgen Strand Larsen continues to shine without Matheus Cunha, Jose Sa conundrum, and more
Despite trailing for over 70 minutes, Wolves picked up another win away to Ipswich Town. The Old Gold secured a hugely important 2-1 victory.
Wolves’ latest win, which is their third on the bounce, has all but ended the relegation battle.
12 points clear of the drop, Vitor Pereira will now be planning for life in the Premier League next season, and here’s what the Wolves manager would’ve learned from Saturday’s latest victory.
Time to move on from Jose Sa
Jose Sa might not have been totally at fault for Liam Delap’s opening goal, but he certainly didn’t cover himself in glory.
He was slow to react, failed to read the danger in time and positioned himself incorrectly, leaving Delap with an easy chance to slot the ball into the net.
Sa will be out of contract at Wolves in 2027 but Wolves need to sign a new goalkeeper long before then.
The Portuguese shot-stopper has been a great servant, but the Old Gold, especially if they remain a Premier League team, can do better.
Jorgen Strand Larsen ready to lead line
Jorgen Strand Larsen has been playing really well recently. His brace against Southampton and winner against West Ham boosted Wolves’ hopes of survival.
Pereira sang Strand Larsen’s praises, and although it took the Norwegian 85 minutes to score against Ipswich, he took his chance well and continues to prove his critics wrong, as shown with his latest performance.
Strand Larsen’s recent goal was his fourth in three consecutive games — the first time he’s recorded these numbers since 2022.
Strand Larsen’s numbers with, and without, Cunha this season suggest Wolves’ attacking threat is in safe hands should his Brazilian teammate depart.
Joao Gomes could be captain material
Joao Gomes signed a new Wolves contract recently, keeping him at Molineux until at least 2030.
The Brazilian’s commitment came at a great time — when Pereira needed his leaders to step up. And although there has been talk of Emmanuel Agbadou captaining Wolves next season, Joao Gomes might be a better pick.
Other candidates to take the armband, if Nelson Semedo moves on, include:
Jose Sa
Matt Doherty
Toti Gomes
Admittedly, Saturday’s match at Portman Road wasn’t the midfielder’s best display of the season, but he didn’t give up — even when things weren’t going his way — and continually looked to find openings.
Joao Gomes is fully settled at Wolves and is usually a very reliable option to have out on the pitch.
His discipline may need some work after he cost his side against Arsenal earlier in the season, but there is no doubting his commitment to the cause, and that’s exactly what you want from a captain.
Pablo Sarabia’s perfect goodbye
Even though there are still eight league games left to play, and he may bag another before the end of the season, Pablo Sarabia’s second-half equaliser could prove to be the perfect goodbye present to Wolves supporters.
The experienced Spaniard was brought on for Jean-Ricner Bellegarde after 65 minutes and found the back of the net less than 10 minutes later.
If Sarabia is to leave the Midlands on a free transfer in the summer, Wolves fans won’t forget his potential Premier League surviving goal at Portman Road.
Tiredness setting in
Pereira named an unchanged Wolves starting lineup for the fourth game in a row.
Although Cunha will return against Spurs next weekend, the rest of the Wolves squad look like they would benefit from their manager switching things up.
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