The Hornets will return to the second tier after just one season in the top flight, and Boothroyd was realistic enough to know his side had been found wanting as the inevitable was confirmed at Vicarage Road today.

A terrible error from on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster allowed Darius Vassell to give City a 53rd-minute lead, and substitute Tamas Priskin's equaliser 15 minutes from time could not save Watford.

"We now know what is required for this league, and we did not have enough of it," said Boothroyd.

"It was an individual error from Ben, but he has been magnificent for us this season, and earned us many points.

"I have learned loads this season. I have had 'bouncebackability' - to quote Iain Dowie - and effort from my players, but it is not enough in this league.

"I think we can come straight back up, but it will be very tough, and we need to bring in one or two players."

Boothroyd's side were up against it from the beginning of the season, failing to record their first league win of the campaign until early November.

They have won just three more league matches since, with their run to the FA Cup semi-finals ultimately proving as irrelevant as it was welcome.

Boothroyd continued: "Our fans have been good enough, but maybe this time around we're not. The league does not lie.

"We will look to keep the nucleus of the squad together. No-one will raid us, and no-one will go.

"Nobody has died. It is not a time to be sad and say 'if only'. It is a time to reflect, and make sure we build on all the good things from this season.

"The club is in a better place, and we are better for the experience.

"Next year, we will be expected to come straight back up, and that is when the pressure arrives. But you have to aim for the stars, and that is what I am about."

City manager Stuart Pearce believed his team should have hung on for all three points after Vassell had put them in front.

Had they held on, it would have been their fourth away win from their last five matches, and Pearce insisted he would tolerate no let-up from his players in the final three games of the campaign against Aston Villa, Manchester United and Tottenham.

Pearce said: "The game had an end-of-season feel to it, and both sides lacked a bit of energy.

"But once we had got our noses in front, I could not see them scoring, so I am disappointed we did not hang on for a win.

"This is my second full season as a manager, and it has been a fantastic learning curve for me. We know where we need to strengthen, and I hope we will do that in the summer.

"I am probably a bit disappointed that we will not finish higher in the league, but we need to add more goals to the team."