Watford owner Gino Pozzo has penned an open letter to the club's supporters following their relegation from the Premier League - admitting there were 'mistakes surrounding the team'.
The Hornets will be competing in the Championship next season after a chaotic campaign that saw three manager sackings and a rollercoaster ride fighting the drop, with their fate sealed on the final day after a 3-2 loss to Arsenal.
The Hertfordshire side looked to be on course for a miraculous survival after Nigel Pearson inspired an upturn in results, but form took a dip after the top flight restart and he was dismissed - with Hayden Mullins taking charge for the final two games.
But the caretaker could not inspire an improvement as the team were beaten 4-0 by Manchester City before their narrow defeat to the Gunners, and Italian Pozzo, alongside chairman Scott Duxbury, has taken time to write to supporters, telling them 'our efforts weren't good enough'.
'The world hasn't stopped turning - even though at times yesterday we all had a feeling of despair,' the statement read.
'But from despair has to come hope. And that is why as a club, as a community and as a group who have Watford Football Club in our hearts, we must build for a successful future.
'There is obviously huge disappointment at losing our Premier League status, we cannot pretend otherwise. What league we play in, however, does not define the football club.
'We will not allow the core values of Watford FC to become diluted simply because we are not playing in the Premier League.
'Everything we have achieved as a club over the past eight years should not be forgotten.'
Pozzo has come in for crticism for axing his managers too often since taking over at Vicarage Road in 2012 after removing Javia Gracia in September, re-appointing Quique Sanchez Flores before firing him less than three months later and then sacking Pearson after seven months.
But the Italian has fronted up to 'mistakes' that were made this season and insists the board will continue being ambitious, promising to make changes that will 'make us stronger' as he targets an immediate return to the top flight.
'We have always said we are here for the long-term and we will not allow this one moment of great disappointment to stop the continued development of this club over the next eight years and beyond,' it continued.
'This is not to detract from mistakes that were made surrounding the team this season. We have to be scrupulously honest with ourselves and admit our efforts surrounding the team were not good enough.
'We will make changes where the team is concerned and those changes will make us stronger, ready to face the challenges that lie ahead and rekindle the passion that has always been a hallmark of this great club.
'In sport, you will always face moments of great disappointment but it's how you react that defines you.
'Rest assured, we will do everything in our power to take Watford Football Club back to the Premier League, something we all believe we can achieve.'
villain111
0
Ac milan should get deulufe.. and Arsenal need to Get Sarr in their rank