Slaven Bilic refused to mince his words after the disappointing defeat at Vicarage Road.

He had no excuses and handed out praise to the Premier League newcomers explaining that they thoroughly deserved their victory.

The manager said:  “What happens weeks before and all the statistics is interesting but it doesn’t mean a thing once the referee blows his whistle.”

That was a reference to the fact that the hosts hadn’t beaten the Irons in a League clash since 1985 when an inspired John Barnes had helped the Hornets put five past us.

Slav’s assessment of the match was as straightforward and honest as we are now becoming accustomed to with the boss declaring: “From the start we were basically second best. They were better in every football department and totally deserved to beat us.

“We didn’t have energy. They were quicker, more hungry than us. Today it was just that.”