ERIC Hughes stepped into the hottest seat in rugby league yesterday admitting he may not be able to repeat Wigan's success of the past decade.

The former Widnes, St Helens and GB star, promoted from academy to first team coach in place of the sacked Graeme West, said the Warriors' incredible run of eight successive wins at Wembley is a "record probably never likely to be equalled again."

Hughes said: "The expectations of the club are so high because of the tremendous record set by their great sides.

"Last season was looked upon as failure because they didn't go to Wembley but they still finished second in the league and won the Premiership. A lot of other clubs would class that as a great season.

"We no longer have the strength in depth but we can still role out a pretty useful side which is the envy of most coaches."

Hughes added he was fully aware of the task ahead and could handle it although he would not be able to plan properly until the uncertain future of the ground was sorted out.

"The board made it clear that because of the situation off the field it was a crucial time and only when the outcome of the major issues had been decided will I know what I can do."

Hughes, in charge of the academy side since moving from Leigh in November, added that working with the youngsters has been an excellent introduction to the club. "I have worked with all the youngsters and know them. That is much easier than joining a club and just working with the senior players.

"But now I am in charge I will speak to the players individually and will start to introduce things. I believe in talking to the players and passing on my ideas on a one-to-one basis and getting ideas from them."

Hughes says he doesn't envisage any wholesale changes on the coaching front and has quashed reports that experienced scrum-half Shaun Edwards would take the assistant coaching position.

"Shaun is still a very fit lad and at the moment I want him to concentrate on the playing side," he added.

Ray Unsworth, the ball skills coach, will continue to work with the first team and John Pendlebury will stay in charge of the Alliance side but a vacancy now exists for an academy coach.

West constantly complained that his views were not considered when signings were made but Hughes hopes that will change a little.

"It was never a problem when the club were on top but because of the financial situation they have had to come up with less costly players. Even so I would like to feel I was being listened to."

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