Due to cup fixtures United will have been out of action for two weeks when they host Stevenage on Saturday but Hughes has used the time to make his stamp on the Pools squad.
"We worked them hard every day last week and then gave them the weekend off," he told the club's official website.
"They came back in refreshed on Monday and ready to go - we've had a bit of a problem with the snow and cold weather but we have still managed to train every day.
"One thing I will say is that since I came to the club the attitude and the commitment from the players to go and do everything right in training is second to none.
"They want to go and commit themselves on the training ground and they've been open-minded to any new ideas so we'll integrate that short, sharp, quick passing and hopefully it manifests itself in Saturday's game.
"I just feel there is a wee spring in the step right now - when I came in there was an understanding that confidence was low but the way they've trained and worked so hard I'm hoping that will show when the curtain goes up on Saturday.
"I'm a great believer in what you see on the training pitch is what you should see on the pitch on a Saturday so we must carry that on in to the weekend and put on a right good show against Stevenage."
