 The following season, he became a regular player and first choice left back for The Hammers, starting the first game of the season, a 4-0 away defeat to Southampton and playing 34 of a possible 38 games that season.The season also saw his first goal for the club in a 2-1 defeat at Highbury to Arsenal.It was a poor season for West Ham who were relegated to Division Two having finished one place off the bottom of the league in 19th place with 38 points.