Nathan Doyle believes Luton Town have nothing to fear next term as they look to build on this season's Sky Bet League 2 campaign.
The Hatters were among the front-runners for a long period of their first campaign back in The Football League, following a five-year spell in the Conference.However, a seven-game losing streak over March and April saw them fall away, and they eventually finished three points behind Plymouth Argyle in the final League 2 Play-Off place.
“Nobody outside of the club expected Luton Town to be pushing for promotion this season but inside we believed we could do it,” said Doyle, who won the Luton Town Supporters' Player of the Year award following a fine debut campaign at Kenilworth Road.
“We were up there challenging for a long, long time; grinded results out, played teams off the park at home and when you look at the season as a whole I think we have to give ourselves a pat on the back.”
The 28-year-old had a six-week spell on the sidelines which coincided with the Hatters' costly run of form, and the midfielder is adamant he and his team-mates can improve on their eighth-placed finish next term.
“We’ve been a bit unlucky with injuries and suspensions at certain times of the season but that’s football.
“We will come back fitter, stronger, better and knowing what to expect from the division. We can take the disappointments from this year, learn from them and carry on next year.
“There’s certainly nothing to fear. The quality in the squad is tremendous, right the way through the team, and I know we will be better for it next season.”