Stoke crashed out of the League Cup on Tuesday after going down 2-0 to Bristol City at Ashton Gate, despite fielding a side including the likes of Kurt Zouma, Bruno Martins Indi, Darren Fletcher and Peter Crouch.
Following the loss, which Hughes descirbed simply as 'poor', the former Manchester City and QPR boss demanded to see a reaction from his side this weekend.
The Welshman told Stoke's official website: 'I know we will be better against Chelsea on Saturday, but that isn't much consolation at the moment.
'We need a reaction. That's what we will drill into the players going into the Chelsea game because that was unacceptable.'
Stoke have enjoyed a mixed start to the season and currently occupy 13th place with five points from five games.
The 'Potters' have already claimed the scalp of Arsenal this season as well as holding Manchester United to a draw and they will be hoping to add Chelsea to their list of giant-killings come Saturday tea time.