Influential Derby County midfielder Will Hughes concedes he’s had a poor season by his standards

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The England U21 international was a near ever-present for Derby this season, making 42 appearances in all competitions.

Aston Villa’s Libor Kozak in action with Derby’s Will Hughes

Derby County midfielder Will Hughes had admitted that by his high standards, he under-performed for the Rams and didn’t reach the levels of performance expected of him, as reports the Derby County official website.

The 22-year-old midfielder was a regular selection for the Rams this season, with Nigel Pearson, Steve McClaren and Gary Rowett all putting their faith in the young playmaker throughout the campaign, with Hughes making 42 appearances for Derby in all competitions.

However, ultimately Derby fell well short of what was expected of them by their fans and chairman Mel Morris, with the Rams finishing the season in 9th place – some 13 points behind sixth placed Fulham.

Like the club as a whole, Hughes believes he has underachieved this campaign and believes that while the managerial changes didn’t exactly help matters – given every new manager had a different style – the 22-year-old found it difficult to get into the swing of things.

Liverpool’s Emre Can in action with Derby’s Will Hughes

“I have been in and out of the team and whilst I know we have had three different managers over that timeframe I know I haven’t played to the capabilities that I know I can for one reason or another,” Hughes said to the Derby County official website.

“It’s been a very frustrating season for both myself and the team. You can’t look for excuses because, ultimately, it is down to you and how you play. There’s been different managers and different styles of play and I just never got into the rhythm of things.

“It boils down to myself and how I have performed and I just haven’t been up to my standards.”

Derby’s Will Hughes

It’s certainly set to be a busy summer at Pride Park as Gary Rowett sets about moulding his own team, with Hughes expected to be retained as a key figure in the former Derby defender’s midfield.

Whether Rowett is allowed to build something at the club however remains to be seen, with chairman Morris proving to be erratic in his decision making to say the very least.