They didn't win their first league game until November when they beat the Smoggies, and were even held at home in the Carling Cup to Accrington Stanley ("who are those?" "EXACTLY!").
When they lost to Arsenal and Manchester United Boothroyd said in the press conferences afterwards "we are as good as them and should be winning these games!". Not that anyone outside (or inside) of Watford believed him.
Watford's relegation to the Coca-Cola Championship was confirmed by last month's 1-1 draw with Manchester City, and Boothroyd said after the Newcastle match his side had fallen short this season.
Watford Were Never Good Enough
They avoided defeat in their final game, with Marlon King's 52nd-minute penalty cancelling out Kieron Dyer's first-half opener, but Boothroyd was disappointed with the display.
Boothroyd: "We have lots of soldiers, but not enough artists.
"We wanted to go out with a bang today, but I don't think we managed it.
"We wanted to go out with a bang today, but I don't think we managed it.
"The game had an end-of-season feel about it. Our miss at the end (when Lee Williamson fired into the crowd after finding himself all alone inside the penalty area) summed up our season."
Boothroyd took off goalkeeper Ben Foster in stoppage-time to grant him a standing ovation before his return to Manchester United after a two-year loan spell at Vicarage Road, and give veteran Alec Chamberlain the chance to make the final appearance of his playing career.
Boothroyd: "Ben has been excellent for us. He has made the odd gaffe, but it is part of his development."