We are Premier League. Finally, after three rollercoaster seasons under our new regime, the Pozzo plan has come to fruition and taken our club to a new level.

Not even losing out on the title on the final day could take the shine off of this incredible campaign.

Although, in fairness, the table doesn’t lie. Bournemouth have also been fantastic throughout this season and are arguably rightful champions.

However, more importantly, what the table also tells us is that we are exactly where we deserve to be; Premier League bound.

Watching the game at Vicarage Road on Saturday, it was abundantly clear how far we have come.

Everyone waxes lyrically about Bournemouth’s fairy-tale journey but ours is just as admirable. Staving off administration, regularly changing owners and avoiding relegation were just some of the obstacles we’ve had to overcome in recent years.

Even throughout our more auspicious period, the club has had near misses and many highs and lows to deal with.

This season our new stand, training ground facilities, improved atmosphere and now the team has finally reached a Premier League level.

Taking all of these into account, we are now ready to take the next step. In the 15 years or so that I’ve been going to Vicarage Road, I have never seen the first team squad this good nor the club itself in such a wonderful shape.

This season will be remembered very fondly but hopefully also as the start of something truly remarkable.

Looking at what Watford has achieved in the past three seasons, the character of our club and our ownership has shown just far we can go in the future.

Over the course of this season there have been many key moments that have defined our successful bid for promotion.

Here are the three performances that truly sealed our Premier League status.

Reading 0-1 Watford 

A second half Almen Abdi strike sealed ten man Watford a crucial victory in December to keep the Hornets in touch of the top two.

After losing Gabrielle Angella to a dubious red card decision late in the first half, the Hornets showed their inner resilience to deny the home side and take all three points against all odds.

Here Slavisa Jokanovic for the first time exhibited his tactical prowess and made his mark by setting Watford up to stifle Reading and break effectively. This performance showed that we had the discipline to really push for promotion.

Bolton Wanderers 3-4 Watford 

In what was easily the game of the season, Watford stole a last minute victory after Troy Deeney came off the bench to score the winner.

Odion Ighalo had put Watford ahead but Wanderers were in front at half time after strikes from Adam Le Fondre and Zac Clough. 

The Hornets rallied after the break and took the lead for the second time after goals from Almen Abdi and Joel Ekstrand.

Clough equalised again for the home side with five minutes to spare but the Hornets snatched the three points when Deeney latched onto Ighalo’s pass and fired into the corner. 

Jokanovic’s celebration at the final whistle showed just how crucial a victory it really was.

Derby County 2-2 Watford 

An Adlene Guedioura inspired second half performance ensured that the Hornets gained a crucial point at the iPro Stadium to keep up with the leading pack.

Knowing that a win would take them to the top of the league, Watford led comfortably through Matej Vydra. 

But, on the brink of half time, Marco Motta brought down Johnny Russell and was dismissed. Darren Bent drew Derby level from the penalty spot. 

Ten-man Watford dug deep in the second half and cancelled out a Thomas Ince strike when Guedioura released Ighalo to score in front of the travelling Hornets contingent.

In my opinion, this result really sparked our incredible late promotion form.