Final Word Week 16 | Supercoach EPL trades, captains, PODs

Such a strong mid-week performance before the lack of Bruno Fernandes and Phil Foden cost the Bolywood Bhoys over the course of last weekend.

Overall, we’re up about 2k positions to 6.8k overall, even with those two misses, but our task now is to map our way to Foden, leaving us with a set-and-forget midfield for the remainder of the season.

As discussed with Matt Jurman on the podcast this week, up front is where we’re going to play form for the remainder of the season and utilise the majority of our trades – while a backline stocked with Arsenal assets, Virgil Van Dijk & Marcos Senesi should pull us through the remainder of the year fairly safely.

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Catching the Top 2k looks achievable – for someone who is new to the ‘SuperCoach’ family – I’d be pretty happy with that.

The game has been even more different than expected and knowledge of the systems is as important as watching as much as possible week-in-week-out.

Combine the two, and you get a Steve Nikolovski who has absolutely smashed it this season so far.

Still half of it to go!

To catch you up – because a little bit has happened since I last wrote – here’s the state of the Bolywood Bhoys XI.

Trade Plans

Three outstanding concerns.

Funnily enough, all based around Arsenal assets with an outstanding run of fixtures coming their way

1- When does Saliba get fit?

When he does – he’ll be scoring consistently for us – particularly with Gabriel set to return next to him shortly.

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2- Do the indifferent performances of Riccardo Calafiori continue?

This is a bit of a mind-bender – as I pointed out in the last article before the double gameweek – I was confident in his continuity, but he has hauled off at half-time against Chelsea a few weeks ago, and then put in a particularly indifferent display against Aston Villa.

Watch closely, more because of his form than because he won’t be picked.

3- How long does Mikel Merino keep his starting place?

Was always going to be a short-term play with the striking options that Arsenal have coming back – Gyokores is being used increasingly, and we saw Gabriel Jesus on the field for the first time since January against Club Brugge – but one more big score and he’s basically taken me from 6.9mil to Foden.

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Now that is a big if… But Wolves are terrible, and Merino has grabbed a goal or an assist in 4 of the last 5 Gameweeks.

I have to hold for one more week.

Even hitting the Break-even of 6 with some luck can likely get me to Foden with a Saliba or Calafiori downgrade.

We will hold on to all those this week, though… The plays made are more functional – setting up the team for the rest of the season – and still trying to build a bit of value at 122mil – slightly behind the big boys.

3.6mil in the bank & 22 trades remaining after this week.

Those who’ve been following know I started with Petrovic before moving to Dean Henderson 4 weeks ago – perfectly timed to lock in David Raya for the rest of the year – happy to come out of the season using only 2 trades on GKs.

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The 2nd is long time favourite bench rotter Josh King moving to Emil Smith Rowe who has taken his position in the starting team at the same price and a better Break Even – the thought was to go Odegaard but I want one or two more weeks to see if he’s right back at his best – Smith-Rowe’s projected to at least follow him in terms of cash gain for the next two weeks so happy to move sideways if the time demands it.

With Arsenal’s little wobble against Villa, I just want an egg or two in other baskets.

PODs

Hugo Ekitike – 4.7mil – -10 BE – As discussed on the pod with Matty – the spot is his up front now – Isak misfiring – Salah throwing the toys out of the cot and Arne Slot showing he’s willing to change to a system where the Frenchman is likely to start up front but can also play on the wing.

He’ll be up to 6mil in value before the clash next week against Tottenham – if you’re falling out of love with Mateta or Semenyo – he might be your move.

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Dan Burn – 5.6mil – I wish I had the guts to move for him this week – but with De Cuyper still starting on the wing for Brighton and his break-even, my brain won’t give my heart what it desires.

With Daniel Munoz out for 4-6 weeks – this could be a move to disperse real value to your midfield and give you a Fernandes or a Foden.

Still owned by only 3%.

Starts as either a CB or a fullback. Baller.

Captaincy Options

Actually staying away from Haaland this week – which is a big swing.

Arsenal home against Wolves just stinks of big scores, though. Rice’s set pieces will be critical, so he takes the C.

Plenty of good swings to have around him – but for the loop, we need to go early with the potential that Saliba or Calafiori don’t see the pitch against Wolves, we may be able to use them as loop options.

I said on the podcast this week I was going to have a swing with De Cuyper in the VC slot, but actually going to take Szoboszlai – his form has been irresistible recently.

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Trades

King OUT Smith Rowe IN

Henderson OUT Raya IN

Captaincy

C: Rice

VC: Szoboszlai