Mulhern's patient game

Watford Ladies v Sunderland Ladies
The FA Women's Premier League
2pm, Sunday 5 September

Sunderland Ladies manager Mick Mulhern is not yet ready to set targets for the season - but knows success will depend on getting some early victories in The FA Women's Premier League.

Despite a vibrant performance on the opening day of the season, Sunderland were eventually beaten 2-1 by Nottingham Forest. But, after a summer of high-profile departures on Wearside, the defeat did not discourage Sunderland's manager.

Mulhern wants his side to bounce back this weekend when they travel south to Watford, who opened their campaign with a dramatic 4-4 draw against Blackburn.

He said: "We haven't set any targets for the season - it's far too early to do that. I will do that in the next few weeks.

"We had a good season last year, so everyone expects us to challenge but it doesn't work like that because we have lost three or four key players including Jordan Nobbs who was the Premier League's Young Player of the Year.

"We don't know how the other teams are shaping up either because everyone has lost players and you don't know who people have - no one knows.

"Every team expected to lose players but it's never easy because it upsets the rhythm.

"If we have a good start and win a few games we can be up there but if you lose your first few games then you aren't going to win the league."