Danny Rose has revealed Tottenham's players only discovered their new formation two hours before they thrashed Hull 3-0 on Wednesday - and had not done any training using it.
Mauricio Pochettino started with three at the back for only the second time this season as Spurs adopted a 3-4-2-1 at White Hart Lane, with Christian Eriksen in central midfield.
Eriksen thrived on the extra responsibility by scoring twice and setting up the third, his free-kick cannoning back off a post for Victor Wanyama to slam home.
The other notable beneficiaries were Rose and Kyle Walker, the pair tormenting Hull down the flanks and repaying the manager's faith with assists for both Eriksen goals.
"Everything is down to the manager, we had no idea until we had the meeting a couple of hours before the game," Rose said.
"We know what's wanted from whatever formation we play. I feel everyone did well.
"We only knew when we went to the training ground at about 5pm. We haven't worked on it or anything but we've done well.
"We don't often have time to work on formations, only if we've got one game a week. Then, say if we play Saturday-Saturday, we know the Wednesday session will be a tactical session - working on how to play out from the back and different formations.
"But when it's Saturday-Wednesday-Sunday-Wednesday, we don't do much tactical work. There isn't much time.
"Whatever formation we play everyone knows their job and what's asked from them."