Watford's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed after their loss against Arsenal this afternoon, ending a run of five consecutive seasons in the top flight.
They were always likely to go down today, with Aston Villa's win in midweek making them favourites to stay up. That proved to be the case, with Dean Smith's side getting a vital draw at West Ham to secure their place in the division.
Watford put in a decent performance today, but the damage had already been done. Many also felt this was an outcome they deserved after harshly sacking Nigel Pearson as manager with only two games left on their schedule.
They are likely to lose a number of their better players over the coming weeks, but the consequences of their relegation will be felt throughout the club.
Captain Troy Deeney gave a typically honest interview to Sky Sports after today's games, admitting that the team's failure to perform will ultimately have a major impact on the lives and financial security of club employees.
🗣"I will take the stick from it social media wise, but people will lose their jobs as we have not been good enough"
Troy Deeney on Watford's relegation pic.twitter.com/sVwfApGBNo— Football Daily (@footballdaily) July 26, 2020
You've got to look at the bigger picture. It's not a today moment, it's not the last week, it's a reflection of the whole year. We've not quite been good enough at both ends of the pitch and it showed again today.
It's frustrating, it's disappointing. It's heartbreaking for the people at the club who work behind the scenes. A lot of people that work at clubs normally get affected by relegation, so we feel sorry for them.
I'll take the stick of what comes social media wise, but the real harsh reality is that people are probably going to lose their jobs because we haven't been good enough.
As players we have to stand forward and take that.
Deeney also admitted that sacking three managers during the course of the season turned out to be the wrong decision from the club.
🗣"Ultimately no as it failed"
Troy Deeney on if Watford were right to sack 3 managers pic.twitter.com/x1ShPesl2j— Football Daily (@footballdaily) July 26, 2020
Of course it is (a contributing factor). That's what I said, we've all go to from top to bottom do an audit and look at it.
You can't say that we've got it right because ultimately we've failed. There's no point dancing around it.
