Frank Lampard afforded himself a wry smile as the latest question from an upbeat 20 minutes was put forward.
The atmosphere has changed around Goodison Park and rightly so, thanks to the work of an increasingly impressive young coach who is determined to revive a club that had been listing like a boat with its hull missing.
Only solid foundations will enable progress and that is something Lampard has been determined to correct. The work has been so impressive since the start of the season that Everton go into this weekend with the best defensive record in the Premier League, having conceded just seven goals in eight games.