It is a Friday. It is not too late for a lesson in the merits of one tactical system over another, as was the case for Rafael Benitez when he was atEverton.
"I have a tricky question for you," he began, turning the interview on the writer. What is the difference between 4-3 and 4-3-1?
After his side's winless run came to an end in dramatic fashion with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Arsenal at Goodison Park on Monday Night Football, the manager spoke of it being a perfect night.
The balance of the game was tipped in the hosts' favor after the decision to bring on the injured Gomes at the start of the second half. It has been seen as that by many people.
The Spaniard moved to a three-man midfield, a slight variation on the previous formation, but a minor change that was viewed by onlookers of a Royal Blue persuasion as having a defining impact.
I stumbled and said that the difference depends on when the team is in or out of possession and that Anthony Gordon showed that he could pin back the opponent's full-backs by doing that.
"You are correct," says Benitez. If you move the two wingers a little bit deeper, it's a 4-3-3. The tactics you use on the pitch are what distinguishes the two systems.
You have said that it is more important to play the way that you know how to. When you have three players in the middle of the pitch, the player behind the strikers used to be an offensive player. In that system, you have threeMidfielders.
The system is not important. It's about how the players take on your message. The main thing is to have the right players on the field. To play one system over another, you have to work on that.
We can't go to Crystal Palace and play 4-5-1 without having worked on it in training. We kept repeating the system that was getting us results when we were successful.
We used a 4-2-3-1 which turned into a 4-4-2 when we were defending. If it's necessary, we consider any change to the system.
The bare numbers prove the point. The furthest any team has run against Mikel Arteta's side this season is 118.6 km, and the furthest in the last two seasons is 118.6 km.
Talking tactics with Benitez wasn't the main topic of discussion, but it was one that the manager felt most at ease with, and so it was only natural to ask him what he wanted from a No 10 whenever he calls upon a system.
The sale of James Rodriguez has left the current senior squad without a traditional playmaker, not long after the club were heavily stocked in this department.
"We don't have a specialist who can play in this position, but we have some players who can," he says. "We can play [Demarai] Gray, we can play [Alex] Iwobi or [Andros] Townsend." They are not specialists in this position, but they can play there.
When you think of the No 10, you think of players like Maradona, who played in this position, and also the greats like Pele, who wore the number back in the day. It's not easy to find someone like this in the market. At a good price.
We must choose the right players.
Right-back Coleman has a request for cover.
Even though he is a manager with 25 years of experience, and even though he has left the door slightly ajar to move our conversation onto the club's vision both in the short and long-term, he knows we need to talk.
With the transfer market around the corner, and with the departure of director of football Marcel Brands last week, it's already on his mind.
Next month will be difficult to do business, but the boss hopes the club will be in a position to give an update on the strategic review in the coming weeks. He knows where he wants to strengthen.
"We're looking for a right full-back all the time because last year had more injuries and this year, touch wood, he's doing well." We know we have to improve in certain areas and now we are looking at different positions.
Sometimes you have to sign a winger if you can't find a No 10. We have to be sure that we pick players that can give us something different in January.
Maturing Gordon and Richarlison.
Gordon has started in four of the last five games, and the manager liked his willingness to fulfill his duties both defensively and on the offensive, with no player making more tackles or intercepts.
The England U21 international is yet to register his maiden goal in the top flight but he has been encouraged by his development.
I'm happy with him. When he first started playing with us, we were thinking what we could do with him because he was still not ready.
He knew that he needed to change and his mentality was good. He had to improve his work rate because he's a good player. I told the club that I wanted to keep him because of his good attitude.
I wanted to see how he could grow up. He's improving every day and he's training hard. He is an important player for us and I have confidence in him, which doesn't mean he will play every game.
Richarlison was one of the players who impressed in the victory over the Gunners.
The Brazilian forward was banned from the loss to the Bees due to a fifth booking and had two goals ruled out by the VAR, but his character was praised by the manager after he scored against the Gunners.
"I've seen a big change," said the man. We're expecting the same level of play from him as we saw at the other day when he scored three goals with two of them not counted.
He has to be focused like he was the other day because he is a very good player. It's how he can help the team and how he can help himself as he's a player who is desperate to score goals. He will score a lot of them if he continues to play at this level.
Sky Sports broadcasts live football.
The results of the premier league
Is it the latest to feel Rafa's love?
Please use a browser that has accessibility features.
Lucas Digne was told by his manager that he must put the team ahead of himself.
In an interview with Rangers in November 2020, Steven Gerrard said that he was the "absolute master of tough love" and that his counterpart in the other direction, Rafa Benitez, was also a "constructive criticism of his players even at times of success".
Lucas Digne was left out of the squad for the game against the Gunners despite not being injured, which led to speculation of a falling out with the manager, and it remains to be seen if the France international is part of the plans moving forward.
In Digne's absence, Ben Godfrey impressed by marking Bukayo Saka, and the team must always come before the individual.
"Lucas is a good worker and I don't have a problem with that," the boss said. The priority is the team. The most important thing is the team's score at the end and not the statistics of him and Godfrey.
The team celebrates their late winner over the team.
The difference between last year and this year is that we have wingers with ability and pace who can make the difference on their own.
"Demarai is an example and he usually plays on the left, coming inside scoring goals, so the full-back we used has to take up a role depending on the players around."
The way that you treat your players is changing every year as a manager. It depends on the player. You can either be closer or farther away. Some need more contact than others.
Gray is an example of someone who is improving because of his relationship with the manager. Every situation between a player and a manager is different, but the most important thing is that they realize that you want to improve them.
The man is seeking a solution to a strategic review.
The director of football has left.
The club said that the board's full support would be given to the manager after last Wednesday's derby loss, and that Brands had left his role a day earlier.
Brands said there was a "clear difference in the vision and direction" and that they had agreed a severance package, but that there was no timescale on the results of the strategic review.
The club is trying to figure out how to move forward. They listen to me when we are talking.
The owner and the board are talking about different options, but my job is to concentrate on the games. We can talk about players and possible names when we have constant communication. We are trying to find a solution.
Jordan Pickford was happy against the team.
Selhurst Park is a ground whereEverton have enjoyed success in the past, and they will be the next opponents there.
The last 10 away league meetings between the two teams have all been won by the Toffees.
The relief was tangible inside Goodison as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stroked his shot wide with virtually the final kick of the game to confirm a first win since late September.
Kick off is 4:30pm on December 12th.
If we win against Crystal Palace, that will be the case, even if we didn't win at Arsenal. After a bad run and the way the team was playing, we saw an intensity, commitment and connection with the fans on Monday.
It was important for the team spirit to finish the game by scoring two goals, because everything felt so good. It's important that we stick together during games so the players feel supported.
They can express their opinions after games if they are unhappy with something.
Goodison Park is not the same place as it was when fans were supporting the team. I think they realize how important they are because they create a huge atmosphere and intimidate the other team.
They want the players to give everything. I felt they were doing that even when they were losing. We hope to keep this until the end of the season.
The result of the game between the two teams was a great advertisement for the club, with everyone pulling in the same direction. Whatever the system, the man knows he is on the right track.
How to follow Crystal Palace.
Sky Sports will show Crystal Palace vsEverton on Sunday at 4.30pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips on the website and app. The Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football channel will show highlights after the final whistle.
Sky Sports has a following forEverton.
You can follow every game in the league this season with our live blogs on the Sky Sports website and app, and watch match highlights for free after the game.
Do you want to know the latest from the club? You can keep up to date with the latest results, goals and video on our website, as well as watch the games on Sky Sports.
You can get all this and more by using the Sky Sports Scores app and setting your favorite team as your favourite.
Find out how to get Sky Sports, listen to the best Premier League reaction and expert analysis, and follow the Sky Sports social accounts.
