It was a whirlwind start to life in the Second Division as the Hammers beat Notts County 5–2 at home and followed this up with a smart 3–0 win at Newcastle United. Joy turned to gloom, however, with two home defeats in four days: Third Division Swindon Town dumped West Ham out of the League Cup, winning 2–1, and then Fulham won 1–0 in the league. Bryan Robson then scored six goals in three successive home games, which included a hat-trick in the 3–0 win against local rivals Millwall.

Inspired by Bonds and Brooking in midfield and the goalscoring abilities of Cross and Robson, the Hammers moved up to third spot after beating Cambridge United 5–0 at home in December. An upset on Boxing Day saw the Orient win 2–0 at Upton Park, but days later Blackburn Rovers were beaten 4–0 at home. Hopes of a run in the FA Cup were dashed as Fourth Division Newport County won 2–1 at Somerton Park.

The football world were staggered in February when West Ham paid a world record fee of £565,000 for goalkeeper Phil Parkes from Queens Park Rangers. Apart from the 5–0 thrashing of Newcastle United in March, the goals had dried up, with a spell of just one goal in four games. With just one win against Burnley in the last seven games the Hammers missed out on promotion and finished fifth.