Improvement on the previous season is surely every team’s aim, but when the division you play in is heading into just its second season, what else can you aim for?

Building on last season’s seventh-place finish in the Women’s Super League 2 is the stated aim of Watford Ladies boss John Salomon, who admitted their inaugural campaign in the division was tougher than expected.

Watford’s 2015 Women’s Super League campaign begins on Thursday, March 19 at Oxford United Ladies before Aston Villa Ladies travel to Vicarage Road, the first time the women will have played on the same pitch used by the men.

The Lady Hornets had previously played in the FA Women’s Premier League National Division prior to a re-structure of the leagues which saw the formation of the WSL2 last year.

Salomon explained: “It was more of a step up than we had anticipated, if I am being completely honest. We had been up in third around August time and then we had a bit of an injury crisis and fell away. We realised it does cost you if you have a few players missing and you do not already have the biggest squad.

“We were missing ten players but this year in pre-season we have had to look at things that benefit the players longer term. We have brought some more staff in on the medical side of things to keep the players fit and we want to finish higher than last season and to be more consistent.”

He added: “We had a very good start last season but then tailed off. The aim every year is to improve and finish higher but if you are there or thereabouts later in the season then you have to re-assess.”

The Hornets have already played two competitive fixtures this season, beating Brighton & Hove Albion and Keynsham Town – both of whom play in the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division – in the FA Women’s Cup to set up a fifth-round tie against Chelsea Ladies.

And Salomon admits whilst he was sceptical at first, he now believes the Golden Girls will reap the benefits of an early start.

“If you had have asked me before the Brighton game, we would rather have not had the game so early because they had been in action for a while already,” he explained.

“But on reflection it has been good that we have had to step it up early on this year. So to have been able to dig out those performances has been very pleasing. But that said, even our pre-season friendlies have been of a high intensity.”

The off-season is traditionally the time for bringing in fresh blood but as Salomon explained, it is rather quieter in the women’s game at this time of year.

“It is a difficult time of year to recruit ladies because our season runs on a different calendar to others,” Salomon said.

“For example, in the Women’s Premier League their season will be ending soon and they want to stay there and remain loyal to their teams until the season ends, which I admire.”

Watford have still snapped up three former London Bees in goalkeeper Cherie Rowlands, attacking midfielder Dawn Mallett and striker Anneka Nuttall, but Salomon is not expecting a Harry Redknapp-style splurge any time soon.

He reasons: “We have got a very good squad and team spirit so we have got to be careful to add the right players and the right people to our group. We are always on the lookout for new players so maybe in the summer we may add players, it just depends on how the squad is looking or what other players are available.”