‘Hopefully we all know what we can do and we can push on and have a good go next year’
break against Stevenage and then in the play-offs against Wimbledon, but Hughes believes they can go one step better next year.
“Obviously it ended in massive disappointment but it’s a learning curve and maybe it will stand us in good stead next season,” he told the club’s official website.
“It’s not the end of the world. It felt like it was at the time but life goes on and we go on to a new season. Hopefully we all know what we can do and we can push on and have a good go next year.
“It will be harder for Accrington next season though as other teams won’t be thinking ‘it’s little Accy.’
“Now they will be thinking ‘it’s Accy who are probably the best footballing team in the league who can give anyone a game.’
“It was visible towards the end of the season when teams at home gave us a lot of respect and we drew a lot of games.
“They made it hard for us to break them down but we can learn from it and we can break teams down.”
Hughes is the first Stan- ley player to accept the new contract offered to him at the end of the season, but it’s unclear yet who else will be staying.
Regardless of who stays or leaves, Hughes is confident that manager John Coleman will be able to put together a strong side next season.
“Usually, when a team does well, there are lads who do well and will maybe not be here next year for whatever reason,” he said.
“It’s down to the manager to regroup but we know the management team here are very good at that, we have seen it in the past. There is a good nucleus here now with Sean McConville, Seamus Conneely, Billy Kee and Matty Pearson who did well last year.
“There is a good core and if new people come in we can make the bedding in easy.”