Wolverhampton Wanderers

Emma Milton
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves fans have lived through enough transfer window drama to know this much: whatever you choose, someone will hate it. That is why the Jorgen Strand Larsen question is so loaded.

On paper, the answer sounds simple. If a big bid arrives in January, you sell.

The problem is we are not going to get anywhere near the money that was on the table last summer. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but it is also selective. At that moment, with the deadline closing and no plan B striker lined up, cashing in could have looked like surrender. If Jeff Shi had sold then, the fanbase would have turned even more toxic than it already was. A club fighting for its life cannot sell hope without consequences.

What we have seen since is a forward who has really struggled without the right support. Strand Larsen is not the type to create something from nothing every week. He needs runners, service and confidence around him. Wolves have often lacked all three. That has left him feeding off scraps, chasing long balls and wearing the blame when chances are thin on the ground.

Even so, his FA Cup hat-trick was a timely reminder of why he is still a wanted man. There is a proper Premier League striker there, and plenty of clubs will back themselves to get more out of him in a better team.

Wolves should not blink first. If they sell in January, it has to be for a good price, because replacing a striker mid-season is expensive and risky.

But there is something Wolves simply cannot do. Selling to a relegation rival like West Ham or Nottingham Forest would be a mistake, and it would feel like the final nail in the coffin for any glimmer of survival hope. You cannot hand a direct competitor a forward who can swing tight games, then ask Molineux to believe you are still fighting.

So, keep him unless a good bid arrives from outside the scrap, with the money and the replacement already lined up. Anything else is just weakening ourselves twice over.

Find more from Emma Milton at Always Wolves, external

Image source, Getty Images

The draw for the FA Cup fourth round has been made. Here is a list of all the ties involving Premier League teams in the order they were drawn.

The matches will be played over the weekend of 14 February.

• Liverpool/Barnsley v Brighton

• Stoke City v Fulham

• Oxford United v Sunderland

• Arsenal v Wigan Athletic

• Hull City v Chelsea

• Burton Albion v West Ham

• Burnley v Mansfield Town

• Grimsby Town v Wolves

• Aston Villa v Newcastle

• Manchester City v Salford City/Swindon Town

• Macclesfield v Brentford

• Birmingham City v Leeds

See the full draw

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's 6-1 win over Shrewsbury Town in the third round of the FA Cup.

Here are some of your comments:

Dan: Banana skin impressively avoided. Personally, I would play Jorgen Strand Larson with Mateus Mane with Mane in a number 10 role. I think it could be the next Bull and Mutch pairing in the making.

Martin: I wouldn't read anything into it. I felt sorry for their fans as there was no effort from their players and it felt like a training session.

Baz: A massive confidence boost. Never mind the lower league team, it was great to see smiles on the faces of our players, Rob Edwards and the fans. The recent trend of performances and results could just be the start of the turnaround that is so overdue.

Richard: Perfect match for Wolves. An out of form striker scores a hat trick, players return from injuries and loans and get match time, and the players' confidence gets a further boost. Great team selection by Edwards, resting a few players, but keeping a strong nucleus.

Ian: Just what we needed. Let's see if it continues in the Premier League.

Graham: Job done! Premier League teams are always expected to beat a lower division team. Wolves were by no means exceptional, but had enough quality to stop an upset. All the best to Shrewsbury for the rest of the season.

Josh: Quality performance to hopefully give some of the lads some confidence. Jackson Tchatchoua is awful though, so I don't want to see him start another game now Rodrigo Gomes is fit again.

Image source, Getty Images

The 2025-26 FA Cup fourth-round draw will take place on Monday, 12 January at approximately 18:35 GMT.

Proceedings will take place before kick-off in the third-round tie between Liverpool and Barnsley at Anfield.

Former England internationals Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole will conduct the draw that will consist of 32 teams live on TNT Sports.

Supporters can also follow the draw on the BBC Sport website and app.

All matches will be played around the weekend commencing Saturday, 14 February.

Unlike in previous years, there are no replays if matches end as a draw. All ties will go to extra time, and if necessary, a penalty shootout.

Non-league Macclesfield are the lowest-ranked team in the draw after beating holders Crystal Palace in a remarkable 2-1 victory.

What are the ball numbers?

• 1. Wolverhampton Wanderers

• 2. Southampton

• 3. Aston Villa

• 4. Port Vale

• 5. Wigan Athletic

• 6. Ipswich Town

• 7. Wrexham

• 8. Chelsea

• 9. Manchester City

• 10. West Ham United

• 11. Brentford

• 12. Fulham

• 13. Sunderland

• 14. Liverpool or Barnsley

• 15. Burnley

• 16. Norwich City

• 17. Arsenal

• 18. Leeds United

• 19. West Bromwich Albion

• 20. Salford City or Swindon Town

• 21. Burton Albion

• 22. Grimsby Town

• 23. Hull City

• 24. Newcastle United

• 25. Oxford United

• 26. Leicester City

• 27. Birmingham City

• 28. Bristol City

• 29. Stoke City

• 30. Macclesfield

• 31. Brighton & Hove Albion

• 32. Mansfield Town

Pundits Dion Dublin and Rob Green join host Jason Mohammad to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's FA Cup ties.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Wrexham 3-3 (4-3 pens) Nottingham Forest

• Preston North End 0-1 Wigan

• Macclesfield Town 2-1 Crystal Palace

• Everton 1-1 (0-3 pens) Sunderland

• Wolves 6-1 Shrewsbury Town

• Fulham 3-1 Middlesbrough

• Manchester City 10-1 Exeter City

• Newcastle 3-3 (7-6 pens) Bournemouth

• Stoke City 1-0 Coventry City

• Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa

• Bristol City 5-1 Watford

• Cambridge United 2-3 Birmingham City

• Charlton 1-5 Chelsea

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves boss Rob Edwards spoke to BBC Radio WM following his side's emphatic victory over League Two side Shrewsbury Town: "It was a good performance. Very professional but a lot of good quality as well. I thought as a team we looked good but there was a lot of good performances a well - a really good day all round.

"Nice for the supporters to see and celebrate some goals. What could have been a really tricky day turned out to be a very enjoyable one."

On Jorgen Strand Larsen's hat-trick: "He's really pleased but I've been very consistent all the way through that he's been working extremely hard, his attitude's been great.

"He's been frustrated but he's understood why he's not started the last few games but his attitude in training has been very, very good. His commitment has never wavered - and he could have [scored] another one, it was a hell of a save."

"I definitely think it's been misunderstood because he's always shown his real commitment to the club.

"There's such high expectations, everyone just thinks, 'right come and pick up where you left off last year' but there has been so much going on for him.

"Because it has maybe not quite clicked for the team, not just him, then it becomes a bit of a focal point and people latch on to that.

"The more we support our players, the better they're going to perform. That is a fact. No-one's going to perform better when they're getting stick.

"It would be brilliant if we put him on a hot streak. It doesn't change his attitude.

"While we're in the window there will always be speculation about a number of our players. I get it, it's understandable but they are showing their commitment here right now."

Did you know?

• Wolves are now unbeaten in four games in all competitions (W2 D2) – they only avoided defeat in five of their previous 25 games beforehand (W2 D3 L20).

Listen to Edwards on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

If they are Jorgen Strand Larsen's final Wolves goals at least he parts having repaired a fractured relationship with the fans.

Wolves are willing to sell him this month, amid interest from Nottingham Forest, after his poor form and crumbling rapport with supporters.

He had scored just three goals for the club this season, so doubling his tally against Shrewsbury is a much-needed tonic.

Supporters who have targeted him, under the misguided assumption the striker does not care having missed out on a move to Newcastle in the summer, sung his name at Molineux after he completed his treble.

It would have been exactly what manager Rob Edwards would have wanted - an out-of-form striker getting the goals which could revive his season.

That could be at Molineux or elsewhere, with the window open for another three weeks.

Edwards is willing to part with the forward but only if it is right for the club - and they would need to bring in a replacement, despite having Tolu in reserve.

It helped Wolves dispatch the League Two strugglers, and with six goals it gives them confidence and momentum, regardless of the opposition.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you make of Wolves' display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Rob Edwards makes five changes for Wolves' third round tie with Shrewsbury.

Sam Johnstone, Matt Doherty, David Moller Wolfe, Andre and Jorgen Strand Larsen return.

Yerson Mosquera, Hugo Bueno, Mateus Mane and Tolu Arokodare drop to the bench while Rodrigo Gomes and Dan Bentley are back from injury.

Wolves XI: Johnstone, Tchatchoua, Doherty, S Bueno, Krejci, Wolfe, Andre, J Gomes, Arias, Hwang, Strand Larsen.

Subs: Bentley, Lima, Mosquera, H Bueno, Chirewa, Lopez, R Gomes, Mane, Arokodare

Iwan Morgan has been handed his debut for Shrewsbury after he joined on loan from Brentford.

Sunderland striker Trey Ogunsuyi is named on the bench after he beat the 12pm registration deadline to be available for the game after joining on loan.

Shrewsbury XI: Harrison, Hoole, Anderson, Boyle, Clucas, Ruffels, Perry, McDermott, Kabia, Morgan, Marquis.

Subs: Brook, Benning, England, Loughran, Gray, Aneke, Lloyd, Stewart, Ogunsuyi

There are 18 third-round ties in the FA Cup on Saturday - 16 involving Premier League and Championship teams, who all enter the competition at this stage - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Cheltenham v Leicester (12:15) - BBC Radio Leicester

• Everton v Sunderland (12:15) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Macclesfield v Crystal Palace (12:15) - BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live & BBC Radio Manchester

• Wolves v Shrewsbury (12:15) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3 & BBC Radio WM

• Boreham Wood v Burton Albion

• Burnley v Millwall - BBC Radio London

• Doncaster v Southampton - BBC Radio Solent

• Fulham v Middlesbrough - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Ipswich v Blackpool - BBC Radio Suffolk

• Man City v Exeter City - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Newcastle v Bournemouth - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 & BBC Radio Newcastle

• Salford P-P Swindon

• Sheff Wed v Brentford

• Stoke v Coventry - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3, BBC Radio Stoke & BBC Radio CWR

• Bristol City v Watford (17:45) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Three Counties Radio

• Cambridge United v Birmingham (17:45) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Grimsby v Weston (17:45)

• Tottenham v Aston Villa (17:45) - BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio London

• Charlton v Chelsea (20:00) - BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio London

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

And find out how to follow the FA Cup across the BBC this weekend here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Fulham v Middlesbrough" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Aston Villa", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

Wolves boss Rob Edwards is starting to get a tune out of his players and Mateus Mane is really shining for them.

Does Edwards change things up here, or does he look to build more momentum?

This is a local derby but he has played for both clubs so he will get what the tie is all about, and Shrewsbury don't really look like they are in the kind of shape to spring a surprise at Molineux, either.

They have not won any of their past eight league games and staying in the Football League will be the main thing on their manager Michael Appleton's mind.

Sutton's prediction: 5-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist

Wolves boss Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup third round game against Shrewsbury Town at Molineux (kick-off 12:15 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news: "Rodrigo [Gomes] will be part of the matchday squad, which is great. Everyone else should be fine from the other day."

• On Shrewsbury's first team coach Sean Parrish being Edwards's cousin: "It'll be strange because Sean and I have worked closely together in a number of different roles here and at Telford when we did the year there as well. It will be weird. He's probably best not to talk to before and then we can catch up again afterwards. It'll be funny seeing him in the other in the other dugout."

• Edwards reiterated Wolves "want to keep the momentum" after going unbeaten in three matches, suggesting no wholesale changes will be made for the game.

• On tweaking the formation: "We played this shape against Crystal Palace when we came in. We have changed in-game to a back four, but we're probably best suited at the moment as a three or a five. The top part of the team might change and tweak, which it has done throughout our time here so far. Obviously, personnel-wise, there's been a couple of little changes and that's maybe what's caught people's attention a little more so than the shape."

• Edwards revealed that he changed training times on Friday because of Storm Goretti to help everyone arrive safely. The Wolves boss also praised the groundstaff for their work clearing the training pitches.

• On Pedro Lima's return: "He's a wonderful crosser of the ball and that was why we wanted to get him on [against Everton]. [Crossing is] something that we've seen in the training in a couple of days that we've had him on the training pitch. He looks like a really good technical player, so we're looking forward to working with him going forward . He's a young player, so baby steps, but he's got the right attitude. Physically he looks good and technically I like him a lot."

• Edwards also said he "hasn't thought" about Jorgen Strand Larsen potentially leaving in the January transfer window. He said he has enjoyed working with the Norway striker and praised his mentality and commitment.

Listen to the full commentary of Wolves v Shrewsbury Town on BBC Radio Sports Extra 3 and on BBC Radio WM Sport from 12:15 GMT on Saturday

How to follow the FA Cup third round on the BBC

Follow all of Friday's FA Cup news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Wolves are determined to keep hold of England youth international Mateus Mane this month, with the club insisting the 18-year-old is not for sale at any price. (Mail), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

We have only just gone past the halfway stage of the Premier League season, so how much can really be read into predictions?

For supporters of Wolves, Burnley and West Ham, they will be hoping not very much.

Leeds and Nottingham Forest, however? They would breathe a bit more easily.

Throughout the season, Opta's "supercomputer" is continually predicting how the final table might look and what percentage chance clubs have of winning the title, finishing top four, in Europe and also relegation.

But for those teams currently occupying the relegation spots in the Premier League, they may want to avert their gaze.

Having only just picked up their first win last weekend, most Wolves fans will have been settled on the fact they would be returning to the Championship come the end of the season.

And Opta's predictions would suggest the same.

Of course, 14 points off 17th place with 17 games to go, it is still very much mathematically possible to save themselves - and with five points in three games there has been an uptick in form - but with a predicted chance of survival of just 0.73%, it would take something incredibly special.

Burnley's return to the top flight has not been the easiest.

While the Clarets have been picking up points, it has not been at the rate needed to get themselves out of the danger zone.

Another point was accrued against Manchester United on Wednesday night, taking them one point behind West Ham in 18th but, with Nottingham Forest's win over the Hammers on Tuesday, it still leaves Burnley eight points off safety.

Like Wolves, Opta's statistics and simulations suggest Scott Parker's side will be back in the second tier next term, with just a 6.59% survival chance unless they can start turning more draws into wins and eking out points from the narrow defeats.

As for West Ham, the defeat by Forest could prove to be one of the most damaging for their season.

A classic six-pointer, a win could have seen them close the gap to just one point. Instead, it sits at seven and sees them with a now 88.76% chance of relegation.

The change of manager from Graham Potter to Nuno Espirito Santo is yet to have the desired effect and both the head coach and the ownership are coming under pressure from the fanbase.

It was pressure that Daniel Farke was feeling at Leeds before their turnaround in results that has left them with just a 7.49% chance of relegation, while Sean Dyche may once again be steering a team to Premier League safety with a less than 10% chance of dropping out of the top flight.

But this is the Premier League, and teams have upset the odds before.

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Mateus Mane has been on the radar as a bright, young prospect at Wolves for some time and his impact at first-team level has been immediate.

Following some promising cameos from the bench, the former Rochdale academy player has started all of Wolves' past four Premier League games. They have yielded five points for his team and two goals expertly taken by the 18-year-old.

Admittedly much quieter than he had been in the 3-0 win against West Ham - boss Rob Edwards said afterwards that he "wasn't 100% in terms of his energy" - Portugal-born Mane provided one of the few moments of real attacking quality that Wolves produced against Everton.

The England Under-18 international showed wonderful poise to net Wolves' equaliser past England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. After a terrific first touch to control Jorgen Strand Larsen's pass that put him through on goal, there appeared little doubt that he would find the bottom corner with his second.

He is now Wolves' joint-leading goalscorer in league fixtures this season.

One of Mane's most noticeable attributes is his willingness to run at defences with the ball and with pace - something which had been sadly lacking for much of the first half of the campaign.

He leads his team for most dribbles attempted per 90 minutes (4.83) of players who have made more than one league appearance this term.

Also, Mane is the only Wolves player averaging more than one shot on target per 90 minutes of Premier League action this season (1.41).

The sample size may be small at this stage, but Mane's introduction to Wolves' starting XI has certainly made a positive difference.

Statistics courtesy of Opta

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Everton's Michael Keane will be banned for three games after being sent off for pulling the hair of Wolves' Tolu Arokodare in Wednesday's 1-1 draw.

It is not a flying, studs-up challenge yet Keane faces the same suspension. Does the punishment fit the crime?

The central defender will miss the FA Cup tie with Sunderland, plus Premier League games against Aston Villa and Leeds.

While hair pulling is not specifically mentioned in the Laws of the Game it is categorised as violent conduct. That is because it cannot be considered something you would do when challenging for the ball.

Think of it this way: the hair is attached to the scalp so if the head is pulled back it is seen as evidence of force or brutality.

Manager David Moyes excused it by saying: "If you have longer hair, then there's a fair chance you'll get it pulled." But if you don't pull the hair, there is no chance you will get sent off.

It has become far more prevalent with the advent of the video assistant referee (VAR) because it usually happens off the ball.

At the start of 2023-24, Tottenham's Cristian Romero wrongly escaped a VAR red card after pulling the hair of Chelsea's Marc Cucurella. That was a reference point for the future.

Southampton's Jack Stephens was dismissed for doing it to Cucurella as was Paris St-Germain's Joao Neves at the Club World Cup.

At the women's Euros, Germany's Kathrin Hendrich looked shocked after she was sent off for pulling the hair of France's Griedge Mbock.

But interpretations can change. David Beckham saw red at the 1998 World Cup after a little kick at Diego Simeone. Today, the England midfielder would not be dismissed as it is now considered petulant.

Perhaps Keane's offence falls into the same kind of bracket, as it does not seem as bad as Stephens, Neves or Hendrich.

Three games seems excessive.

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Premier League game between Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Chris: A dilatory game for which we have Jordan Pickford to thank again for saving us at the death. What a save. Two red cards means two fewer players when we are already at bare bones. Time to blood some academy boys.

Rich: Badly in need of reinforcements. Recruitment has to be better than the usual waste-of-money players coming in. Otherwise a bottom-six finish beckons. And we've got to play a full strength team on Saturday as we need a cup run.

Neil: The boos at the end were about the Michael Keane red card - they were at the referee. It's true the team were not incisive enough but the crowd do not boo the team for that.

Tim: Once again punished for lack of pace, pressing, positive play, urgency and inspiration. It all stems from a manager who agreed to start the season with a wafer-thin squad, signing young players he can't develop or trust to play, and won't react in matches to try to change things when we are so ineffective. We are nowhere near safe from relegation.

Wolves fans

Gary: Well done to all at Wolves for giving us fans something to cheer about again. Ignore the critics who have written us off. If we play like we have for the past few games, we could make the impossible look very possible, very quickly!

Brody: Before the game, we would have taken a point so I am happy. It was a stop-and-start game. Mane is just pure fire. Just got to keep building in confidence and stop wasting our corners. The amount of times our corners end up with our goalkeeper is silly.

Murray: Better fight from the team. Good substitutions, but Andre has to start every game with Joao Gomes. Once they were paired up, we had control of midfield immediately. Nice to see Pedro Lima back - give him a chance, particularly as Jackson Tchatchoua still can't cross a ball. Hwang Hee-chan remains a liability and should not start.

Nigel: Fantastic performance. All credit to the boss - we actually played better when they had 11 on pitch.

Pundits Danny Murphy and Stephen Warnock are on hand to bring you the action and talking points from the nine Premier League fixtures so far this week.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

Wolves boss Rob Edwards spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's draw to Everton: "Once Jack Grealish gets sent off and we're playing against nine men, I thought we played into their hands. We needed more direction. We needed to put crosses into the box from different places. We pushed. It's progress still. With 11 men, we got back into it with a great goal.

"They're good in transitional moments but I think we showed we have a few who can handle it as well. I think both were looking jaded. It's been a busy period. We started flat.

"We need to try to find a way to get back in the game and Jordy [Strand Larsen] did that straight away. I felt Andre would give us more energy and fresh impetus. Credit to them.

On Mateus Mane: "He had to dig in today. You could see he wasn't 100% in terms of his energy but he has got some energy. We have to make sure we look after him now.

"We want to try keep this momentum going."

Hear more from Edwards on BBC Sounds

Wolves goalscorer Mane spoke to Sky Sports: "It was an amazing feeling. We deserved the three points. We've got to keep working and we go again on Saturday in the FA Cup.

"They had two red cards so we thought to attack them and put balls in the box. We did that but we were just unlucky not to get the goal.

On what Rob Edwards said at half-time: "He told us to keep going and the ball will come. He said work, run, attack.

"I feel like I had space between the defenders. I took a touch and slotted into the bottom corner.

"I'm not scared of anyone, I deserve to be here and I'm now I'm proving what I can do. He tells me to express myself and be brave one-on-one.

"We'll fight and whatever happens, happens. We want to stay in the Prem because it's the best league in the world."

Did you know?

• Aged 18 years and 113 days old, Mateus Mané tonight became the youngest ever Wolves player to score in back-to-back Premier League matches for the club.

• Wolves have picked up more points during in their last three matches (five) than they managed in their previous 22 games in the competition (three - D3 L19).

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves manager Rob Edwards looked disappointed at the final whistle after his side could not capitalise on Everton being reduced to nine players following the dismissals of Michael Keane and Jack Grealish.

Edwards must have thought Hugo Bueno's spectacular strike had brought the riches of a second successive league win, only for Everton keeper Jordan Pickford to pull off a world-class save.

The manager, however, will be delighted that the recent improvement, that saw Wolves run Arsenal and Liverpool close before losing, get a draw at Manchester United and then get that elusive first win against West Ham, was maintained.

Heads could have dropped after going behind so early, but there is fresh determination about Wolves under Edwards.

It would take the stuff of miracles for Wolves to avoid the drop, but there is no doubt there has been progress in recent weeks.

This is exemplified by the exciting Mateus Mane, who followed on his fine display in the West Ham win with another demonstration of his quality, this time an ice-cool equaliser.

The teenager, brought in as an academy player from Rochdale, is emerging as a real high spot this season – although his form will have already caught the attention of potential transfer suitors.