With injuries and congested team schedules, the need to have the latter of the above is turning into an essential factor. In 2008, it was clearly felt when Liverpool's side struggled without the injured Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard two seasons ago. Last year, Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie had niggling injury worries that affected Arsenal's title and Champions League challenges.

On the other hand, Manchester United had a quality squad that dealt with injuries to key players like Vidic, Rooney or at the time, Cristiano Ronaldo. Sir Alex Ferguson has always been consistent in his reliance on a full and capable squad instead of a select few. On the contrary, Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho came with the logic of the 24-man squad.

I recall one of his first interviews as a Chelsea manager a few years ago, where he insisted he wanted to trim the squad down to 2 players per position. He has carried that mentality with him to both Inter, where he had a huge squad but relied on certain players, and Real Madrid.

The Portuguese manager seems to have evolved his approach into what I've called sub-squad partnerships. French striker Karim Benzema seems to always take the field with German playmaker Mesut Ozel. On the other hand, back-from-the-abyss midfielder Kaka' seems to be paired with Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain.

I believe the idea is to increase synergy between these sets of players, such that they would produce more when on the pitch together. Manchester City seems to be adopting a similar approach with the Dzeko, Aguero, Silva triangle. Even before the Tevez saga, Mancini would rarely break that triangle, and has been yielding excellent early season results.

It's an interesting approach. If Man United would apply it, we could see a Rooney, Hernandez vs. Berbatov, Wellbeck showdown. Man City could have similar player teams to ensure that excellent players get playing time as well as giving an extra plus to the team in general. Other teams don't have that luxury of players. I couldn't see Liverpool resting Luis Suarez or Steven Gerrard if they were ready and the game mattered. Tottenham would play Modric or Van der Vaart whenever declared fit. Chelsea could certainly try it in attack with maybe a Torres-Sturridge partnership as an option and Anelka teaming up with Drogba.

The same can be said in defense. Actually, I believe the defensive harmony is more of a necessity than in attack. One attacker can score and carry a side on his shoulders if he has the capability, but a defense has to handle the assault of the whole opposition. Accordingly, they need to think as a unit, act as a unit and gel as a unit. Similar to what happens in American Football, defenses tend to form understandings based on playing week in and week out.

AC Milan's defense in the mid-90's could have been put on the team sheet a month before a game. Barring injuries, the four names of Maldini, Costacurta, Baresi and Tassotti would be Milan's defense. Man United had a solid back four of Parker, Pallister, Bruce and Irwin when they started their rise to top of the English clubs in the early 90's. Liverpool boasted the best defense for three consecutive season in the last six years, and Reina has continuously said that it's because of the wonderful understanding and communication he had with the likes of Hyypia, Carragher and Riise.

Nice idea, nice approach. But, when do you change? If a striker is off form, do you change the playmaker too? If one gets injured, does that mean his partner is grounded and can't play? Not necessarily but it certainly has a few question marks to be applied with optimum results.

* Chelsea entertains Arsenal in the game of the week. Arsenal have only been able to get a point from their away games this season. On the contrary, Chelsea have been formidable at home with 10 wins and a draw in their last 11 home games. Arsenal enter the game after 2 wins in a row, while Chelsea want to forget their last London derby where they lost to QPR 1-0 with 2 red cards. I Predict: Chelsea 2 - 0 Arsenal

* Chelsea are trying to end speculation related to allegations that John Terry racially abused Anton Ferdinand in that loss at Loftus Road last week. Three of QPR's players have refused to enter the investigation while Terry insists the allegations are untrue.

* The English FA have announced that Terry will remain England's captain despite the racist allegations.

* Kenny Dalglish takes his Liverpool side to face former boss Roy Hodgson. Last year, two penalties in the last 10 minutes gifted the points to WBA. Gerrard should be fit for the game after being rested in the Carling Cup game against Stoke in midweek, while Luis Suarez will have to wait till right before the game to be declared fit or not with an ankle worry. *Liverpool currently lead the Premier League clubs in attempts hitting the bar and post (nine times!). I Predict: WBA 1 - 1 Liverpool

* Newcastle hope to continue their unbeaten start to the season by surviving a trip to the Britannia Stadium to face Stoke City. The Toon army (as Newcastle are known) have been impressing all pundits with their never-say-die approach and have been grinding excellent results out. The loss of Shola Ameobi could be a factor that Stoke could capitalize on. Stoke have their own approach to the game, and with Kenwyne Jones and Peter Crouch in attack, I believe they have what it takes to beat Newcastle. I Predict: Stoke 2 - 0 Newcastle.

* Man United travels to Everton with both teams trying to please their sets of fans. Last season, this fixture resulted in a thrilling 3-3 draw where Everton scored twice in stoppage time. The game was controversial as the referee ended the game with Everton attacking for the winning goal, much to manager David Moyes' fury. I Predict: Everton 0 - 1 Man United.

It's been a week where the Carling Cup round raised a few eyebrows. Trouble-packed Blackburn beat Newcastle 4-3 in extra time in a thriller. Liverpool came back from 1-0 down to Stoke to win 2-1 while Chelsea overcame another red card (to GK Turnbull) to beat Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park. It's been a while since we've seen the 'bigger' clubs approaching the League Cup with this amount of seriousness. In my opinion, that only helps the game.