The first three games brought three defeats and even at this early stage there was a threat of relegation. Morale was even lower following a 5–0 defeat at Nottingham Forest in the League Cup. There was a surprise 3–2 win at Newcastle United but it would be a further nine games before another victory. Striker Derek Hales had been signed from Derby County and he scored twice against Ipswich Town in the 2–0 away win in October. The home form improved with successive wins against Manchester United, Birmingham City and Leicester City, and to add to the firepower centre-forward David Cross was bought from West Bromwich Albion.

The New Year began with a 1–0 win against Watford in the FA Cup but progress was halted in the fourth round with a disastrous replay at Queens Park Rangers that ended in a 6–1 defeat. Poor results during February and early March, ending with a 4–1 loss at Aston Villa, left the Hammers twentieth. At Easter the team gave their supporters a glimmer of hope as David Cross scored a hat-trick in the 3–0 win against Ipswich Town, and the following day there was a 3–1 home victory over Chelsea. After a further four wins in April the Hammers looked set to repeat their Houdini act and avoid relegation.

They needed to win their final game of the season at home to Liverpool. Before a season’s best crowd of 37,448 the Merseysiders cruised to a 2–0 victory and the Hammers’ 20-year stay in the First Division was over.