Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes is currently proving an awful lot of people wrong, including Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy.

It was less than 18 months ago that the Brazilian, who Spurs had bought for £7.8 million, walked out of White Hart Lane for the last time.

Levy, renowned for his hard bargaining approach, deemed Gomes as unessential but not disposable.

The 34-year-old had slipped down the pecking order at Spurs and was the club’s third choice goalkeeper. He was, in footballing terms, in the wilderness.

Offers were received but were turned down. The Lilywhites would not let Gomes leave unless they received what they deemed a fair price.

Gomes had no alternative but to be professional and patient. In the end he left Spurs for nothing last summer. His last appearance for the club had come 18 months earlier in the Europa League.

Gomes opted to remain in England and joined Watford. He subsequently helped the Hornets achieve promotion to the Premier League and is excelling once again in the top flight.

And, apparently, all he needed was to feel the love of his club. Gomes wanted to feel wanted. At Watford he has that.

“Watford really want me,” he explained. “The situation at Tottenham meant it felt like they never did. “When you believe you can help your club then you are happy.

“I had difficult but also very good times at Tottenham. But at Watford I feel at home. The people are great with me. They feel I can help them and they can help me.

“That is the most important thing. It was a difficult time for me at Tottenham but I always believed in my ability to carry on.

“I dropped down a division to play for Watford last year but I felt I belonged in the Premier League. I worked so hard last season with everyone to get promoted and to be back in the Premier League.”

Gomes’ performances this term have well and truly quashed the belief amongst the average Premier League supporter that the Brazilian is error-prone.

He has yet to put a foot wrong and has produced excellent displays, the latest of which came in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.

But off the pitch Gomes also plays a huge role. He is Watford captain Troy Deeney’s soundboard and it is a role the Golden Boys skipper says is invaluable.

“This is the second year I’ve worked with H (Gomes),” Deeney said last week. “He has been a model professional and has helped me with certain situations that occur.

“As we know I am an emotional guy so sometimes I want to go and nail somebody for making a mistake - not that that has happened this year, this is last year - but he (Gomes) will tell me that it isn’t worth it.

“Sometimes though I won’t think something is worth it but he will then tell me to get into them. So he gives me a nudge sometimes.

“He also plays like he trains. He is top drawer and always wants to win. He has been quality and Tottenham letting him go has been a blessing for us. So thanks for that.”

In addition to his leadership qualities Gomes also adds something to Watford’s squad that money can’t buy, experience.

His time at Tottenham may have ended sourly but he did make 135 appearances for the Lilywhites, and 95 of those came in the Premier League.

Going to the likes of Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge and The Emirates isn't new to Gomes. He isn’t easily fazed.

And, importantly, he can provide knowledgeable words of wisdom on to the rest of the Golden Boys squad.

“It isn’t easy to win games or get points in the Premier League,” he said. “I knew that and told the boys that, Troy and (Odion) Ighalo too.

“It isn’t the same thing as playing in the Championship. It is harder to score goals and you have to be alert all the time in defence.

“We also have to defend better than we did in the Championship. I believe the most important thing is that if we keep clean sheets then it makes it easier for us to win games when we score.”