Gareth Ainsworth says he says he never wants Wycombe Wanderers to return to the dark days of last season as he presses ahead with his plans for next season – despite the “distraction” of a trip to Wembley.

Twelve months ago the 42-year-old came close to becoming the man to take Blues out of the Football League for the first time since Martin O’Neill led the club into the top four divisions of English football in 1993.

Wanderers stayed up on the final day of last season by virtue of goal difference and have since lost only 11 of their next 52 games, a run which has taken them all the way to the League Two play-off final.

The Wycombe manager is keen to ensure that the Chairboys never endure the struggles of last term again under his leadership – a reign which now spans two and a half years.

“My post-match interview would have been the same regardless of the result,” said Ainsworth after coming to terms with leading Wanderers to Wembley for the first time in 21 years.

“I could have given it to you before the game and it would be that I am very optimistic about the future of Wycombe Wanderers and the way we are.

“The club is turning around slowly off the pitch and the club have done fantastically off the pitch and Wembley or not we have very good building blocks.

Ainsworth spoke last week of how his plans for next season, in terms of player recruitment, had started as early as January as he tracked potential new recruits.

Six players are out of contract in the summer and with four loan players set to return to their parent clubs the Blues boss will have a smaller window than usual in which to shape his squad for challenges of League One or Two.

Contract talks have been put on hold until Wanderers’ fate becomes clear on Saturday with Ainsworth keen to focus on what will be his first trip to the national stadium as manager.

He said: “Fortunately it is Wembley and I’m really pleased that I’m able to lead such a great, small squad out at Wembley.

“It will be an amazing experience for all but the most important thing is the building blocks that are being put in place at Wycombe Wanderers to get this club to a solid base and player recruitment has started already for next season.

“It is difficult with the distraction that is coming but I want to make sure Wycombe Wanderers never return to the days they had last year.”

You can read the first of a three part interview with Ainsworth and chairman Andrew Howard, in which they discuss the 2014/15 season in depth, here.