AIDY BOOTHROYD admitted today (Friday) that after Watford's 1-0 home defeat to Bolton last week he felt the most dispirited he ever has done as Hornets boss.

Facing a Bolton side that had lost four of their past six away games, the Watford manager was looking to get a result against Sam Allardyce's team.

But Watford never showed up on the day and their tame performance kept them rooted to the foot of the Premiership ten points from safety.

Even though Watford have long been condemned to certain relegation by most pundits, Boothroyd still believes that "it is not yet over" but he told the gathered press corps that Saturday "really hurt him".

"It really got me down," the manager said. "It really got me down and I do not get down. What's gone is gone but there is no point wallowing in it.

"After Bolton was the lowest I have felt. People are surprised at how upbeat and positive I am but I can still get hurt.

"Bolton were ripe for the taking and we let them beat us. I thought we did not take our opportunity to take them. That's why I was down."

But Boothroyd, as he is now known throughout the footballing world for doing, has taken positives out of that negative.

"Saturday was a turning point. I went away and thought, 'what are we going to do?' We now must run with it and have a go so that's what we are going to do."