Slavisa Jokanovic had a simple but effective message for Watford’s players and fans after the Hornets’ crucial 2-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion: “We have won our semi-final, now we have the final in front of us.”

That final is against Sheffield Wednesday at Vicarage Road next Saturday. The Golden Boys know victory over the Owls will see them clinch the Championship title.

“We must keep going and do what we have been doing in the last 45 games,” Jokanovic said after his side’s victory on the south coast which was secured thanks to goals from Troy Deeney and Matej Vydra.

“I must be happy and it was an important three points. We have won our semi-final, now we have the final in front of us.”

Watford’s clash with the Seagulls certainly wasn’t easy watching if you were a Hornets fan. Brighton started positively and caught Jokanovic by surprise.

“Brighton play good football and when I observed them they hadn’t played three at the back,” he admitted. “They changed their structure and we had prepared for something different.

“I can’t control what the opposite coach will do though. I must observe and have an imagination. We had to switch our strategy to change our situation.”

The Golden Boys head coach did just that in the 25th minute. Ikechi Anya was brought off and Daniel Tozser was introduced.

Watford switched from their 3-5-2 system to a 4-4-2 diamond and went in front four minutes later when Deeney fired home.

“After we decided to change our system we had more control in the game,” Jokanovic explained.

“It [the substitution] was simple; it wasn’t a question of whether Ikechi played a bad or good game, or whether he wasn’t doing the right things on the field. It was a tactical reason that I decided to change our structure.”

He continued: “I am a professional coach and he is a professional player. Ikechi understood perfectly why. He wasn’t doing anything wrong but we made the change to find more benefits in the match.

“I try to help my team. I believe everyone understands that we didn’t have control but we tried to find the right balance.

“We have made this switch many times and today we found a result immediately after that change.”

Watford held their slender advantage throughout the second period. Brighton created several chances and almost equalised in the dying moments.

But the Hornets survived and, on the counter attack, grabbed a second goal in the 94th minute when Vydra slotted past David Stockdale.

Jokanovic admitted he was a little nervous during the second period and added: “Brighton had many situations where they were close to scoring a goal towards the end of the game. We could have scored a second goal earlier but didn’t do this.

“So we were a little bit tired and under pressure but after Vydra’s finish we resolved our problem.

“In front of us in the final, that is it. I don’t believe we have time to celebrate because we haven’t achieved anything yet.

“The real game is in front of us but I am ready for one or three games [in the play-offs].”

The Golden Boys could effectively be promoted to the Premier League by 5pm this afternoon if Norwich City are unable to defeat Rotherham United and Middlesbrough lose or draw at Fulham.

Jokanovic was asked if he would be carefully watching this afternoon’s results on the way back to Watford. 

He replied: “I will be on the bus and somebody will tell me. It depends on the Sky Sports signal in the bus. I don’t have any plans for this evening.

“I expect someone will ring me to do something but I will prepare for tomorrow morning and our recovery training.

“Some of the team must be ready to work but we have decided to have a day off on Monday. We will then concentrate and prepare for the Sheffield Wednesday game.

“We haven’t done anything at the moment. We must finish and in seven days we can then speak about what I will and won’t do if we are promoted.”