Watford chairman Graham Taylor and director Stuart Timperley have both expressed their frustration that the Vicarage Road pitch could not be relaid this summer.

Hornets owner Bassini has previously stated "his biggest regret" was not taking over the club in time to relay the pitch but Taylor told those at Tuesday night's fans' forum there was a small window where the out-of-date surface could have been replaced.

Taylor said: "As far as I understand, when the pitch is put in place then there is a levelling process which has to take place which is of course an additional expense.

"I have to say this - and I would say it if Laurence was here - as far as I understood, there would be a levelling and a new Desso pitch put in. That had to be done straight away because of the time limits and the time of putting the pitch in.

"So that had to be started within a week of the season ending and around that time there was still a lot of discussion going on and we got to the stage where there was not the time to put a proper Desso pitch in.

"We now have the pitch as it is and the fingers that I cross regularly for Watford, particularly when I am not watching the game, is that the weather isn't going to disturb this pitch to such a degree that it becomes almost unplayable.

"I hope that doesn't happen but I think there is a chance it could happen but the pitch has to be a priority. I don't care what anybody says."

The Vicarage Road pitch is a Desso surface, which has synthetic grass fibres intertwined with the natural turf.

The Desso pitches are supposed to be replaced every ten years but Watford's is now in its 13th season.

Timperley added: "I agree. It was very frustrating. We were still getting to know each other and we took quite a long time to discuss these issues and eventually we could not get hold of the Desso equipment etcetera."

"It is the tools of your trade, you play football on a pitch and that is not a pitch," Timperley continued. "It is well beyond its sell-by date. We are sat here with our fingers cross.

"The specific plan to do the pitch is immediately after the last game of this season or I think it is the last Saracens' game played, we will move in to do the pitch.

"There is a discussion about doing the levelling. The argument is that you need the levelling to build the East Stand. The question is, how much does it need levelling and is that the issue?

"We are having a look at that but there is a commitment to do the pitch at the end of the season. That is what we are working towards and that is what the plan says.

"God it is about time it is done because quite honestly, if we get a rugby match and a soccer match on the same weekend and it is raining constantly, then we have problems so we just have to hope."

The decision not to relay the pitch was a deciding factor in Watford allowing Premiership champions Saracens to remain at Vicarage Road, which Bassini claims will land the Hornets in excess of £800,000 circa.

Watford's chairman stressed he did not want to be 'rude' to Saracens but admitted he was happy when it seemed the rugby club were set to leave the stadium.

Taylor said: "This was not a football decision as far as I am concerned, or it was a decision not made by football people who don't understand playing football and rugby on a non-Desso pitch means you can end up with a crap pitch that the rugby players don't mind playing on but it is impossible for the football players to play on.

"This is not a decision that we liked at all but it was taken. I am not the owner of the club, I don't manage this club, and neither does Stuart. What we can do is try to look after your interests and our interests as best as we can."

Bassini was adamant the pitch would be relaid next summer when he spoke to the Watford Observer back in July.

“I wanted the pitch done and we agreed to do it,” Bassini said back in July.

“I wasn't in charge of the club in March and when we went to the Desso people they said we would not have enough time because the pitch is not even and there is going to be building work done around it.

“It has not been done now but we have ordered a new pitch for next year at a rough cost of £1m so whatever happens, it is going to be done. We have even paid the deposit so it is happening, there will be a new pitch.”