The lack of investment in the team which had begun in the summer of 1986 continued into the start of 1987-88 with no new arrivals. The only positive thing to happen over the summer was that Lyall persuaded Tony Cottee to withdraw the transfer request he submitted in May and to stay for at least one more year.
The midfield of Devonshire, Ward, Brady and Robson was ageing, slow and injury prone. The defence also lacked pace, youth and fitness. QPR won the opening game 3-0. Lyall’s refusal to enter the transfer market, whether due to board poverty or his own caution, was immediately exposed.
McAvennie’s Exit and the Mid-Season Slide
After looking OK, suddenly no goals in three and out of the blue, Frank McAvennie left for Celtic for £800,000. Lyall stated he wouldn’t stand in the way of his boyhood club. Hammers fans thought new arrivals would freshen the squad with just one win in eight, but still there was a stubborn refusal to enter the transfer market.
The first murmurings of “Lyall Out” started on the South Bank as West Ham threw away a 2-0 lead against Barnsley in the League Cup. The same slow and ageing squad managed wins against teams that would be relegated, but the team’s inconsistent form was a clear sign of systemic problems.
Late Signings and the Final Day Drama
Little runs of form and the customary surprise win or two spared Lyall from being summoned to the board room. The Hammers found their best form of the season without spending any of the McAvennie money, but this hope was cruelly exposed by poor Christmas results.
Something had to be done – and it was. Leroy Rosenior joined from Fulham for £275,000 and had an immediate impact, scoring on his debut. Things were precarious – just five points above the play-off position, when Lyall brought in 19-year-old Julian Dicks from Birmingham City for £300,000.
With two games left West Ham faced the real possibility of relegation, sitting on the play-off spot a point behind Charlton and two behind Chelsea. A memorable 4-1 win over Chelsea meant the Blues ended the afternoon in the play-off spot, with The Hammers in relative safety. West Ham survived – just – after a final day defeat to Newcastle.
Lessons Learned (or Not)
It looks like Cottee will be going; Lyall must ensure he learns from the mistakes of the last two summers and brings in quality signings to avoid another relegation battle.
Reminder: This season is covered in Episodes 63-67 of the YouTube series “The John Lyall Years” – see @westhamhistory.
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