It was hard not to think what could have been for Wycombe Wanderers while watching AFC Wimbledon secure safe passage to League One on Monday.

For so much of the season’s run-in the two sides went toe to toe for the league’s final play-off spot, before the Dons hit their stride and Wanderers slumped into a near catatonic stupor.

At points in that fatal eight game malaise Wycombe’s form was dreadful, and the final day thumping at Oxford came as a sweet release for many associated with Adams Park as the season could be put to bed.

For Matt Bloomfield the failure rankled as he missed out on what he accepts may be an ever dwindling chance to gain promotion. His desire to do so next season remains undiminished however.

“The disappointment of missing out on the play-offs is added to as you get over 30 because you wonder how many more times you are going to get to enjoy that,” Bloomfield said.

“It also stokes the fires a little bit and gives you motivation for next season. I am certainly as highly motivated as ever to make sure we bring success back to Wycombe next season.”

As is always the case with Wanderers, budgetary constraints will inform their chances of rising to Bloomfield’s call for a redoubled play-off push next season.

He has no issue with the limited funds, and feels that Wycombe are more than capable of battling against the odds to reproduce the quality which took them to the play-off final of 2015.

“I am sure the budget is going to be similar to next season and the squad size will be similar again next year so we will be underdogs,” he said.

“We did it in 2015, so why can’t we do that again next season? Why can’t we overachieve and add to our points total?”

Recruitment will surely play a key role in any success a Wanderers side shorn of 10 of the players who ended the last campaign on their books may have next season.

New faces of course means fresh competition for places and Bloomfield will again be tested to maintain his position at the forefront of manager Gareth Ainsworth’s thoughts.

In what will be Bloomfield’s 13th full season with the club he remains just as focused on the task as he was when he first arrived in Buckinghamshire in December 2003.

“Of course [you look forward to new players coming in]. I don’t think you’d get into your 30s in football if you didn’t enjoy that challenge,” he said.

“Every season I have played for Wycombe Wanderers there have been new players coming in and that is the game. Players come and go every year.

“There are new players the manager feels will improve his squad and you have to take up the challenge and prove you are worthy of a place in the team.”