Bouazza joined the Barclays Premier League club this week in a deal which could rise to $10million after making it clear earlier in the summer that he wanted to leave Vicarage Road.

Bouazza, 22, signed a four-year deal at Fulham - but Boothroyd believes the Algeria international forward has made a mistake in leaving the Hornets.

"Hameur wouldn't necessarily have been a starter," said Boothroyd. "If everyone had been fit, [Tommy] Smith and [Jobi] McAnuff would have started.

"We had a player who I didn't think was anywhere near ready to move. He should have stayed a little bit longer, to grow and develop.

"But the lure of the Premier League, and the money to be made by all concerned, is a heavy burden sometimes.

"I have a lot of respect for Hameur, for where he has come from and what he has done.

"But if a player is so desperate to go, you have to weigh up his effect on the environment.

"To get $10million for him is probably good business, considering I was going to move him on if he hadn't done anything after coming back from Swindon (where Bouazza had a loan spell towards the end of the 2005-06 season)."

Boothroyd's men, relegated from the top flight last season, travel to Wolves on Saturday for a tough opening fixture in the Coca-Cola Championship.

They could be without both Smith and summer signing McAnuff, who picked up slight knocks during training this week.