This book investigates the internal dynamics and performance of the England national football team during the 1998 FIFA World Cup tournament. Harry Harris, a veteran sports journalist, utilizes his access to the team and its management to document the tactical preparations and off-field pressures faced by the squad. The work serves as a chronological record of the team's campaign, anchored by a detailed examination of manager Glenn Hoddle's leadership philosophy and decision-making process.

The text provides a contemporary, journalistic account of a specific period in English football history, functioning as a primary source for those interested in the Hoddle era. Its focus on the day-to-day operations of the team offers a specialized look at the pressures inherent in international tournament management.