Everton forward Toni Duggan believes the club learned a lot about themselves in a difficult campaign last year, and is confident they can do better this time around.
The Blues entered the 2021/22 season with a high level of optimism following a summer of high-profile arrivals, but struggled to find consistent form throughout the term. Having initially been targeting a potential fight for the Champions League places ahead of the opening match, the side eventually finished 10th having seen both Willie Kirk and Jean-Luc Vasseur lose their jobs.
Brian Sorensen is now at the helm and this transfer window has also seen a number of players join the club, and Duggan still believes the side are going through a transition. However, they have learned not to get ahead of themselves, and are targeting sustainable improvement throughout the current campaign.
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The forward told Sky Sports: "It's difficult, I think we're still going through a transition period. Last year we made a lot of key signings, top signings, and it didn't work out.
"We were targeting the Champions League...I don't think there's any harm in setting your stall out high but I think we learned a big lesson last year. This year we're going to go about our business quietly, take it game-by-game, and see where we end up.
"I do believe we have a talented squad, we have a great manager. These things take time, it doesn't happen overnight, but I believe we'll have a better year than last year."
Everton take on Liverpool this weekend at Anfield in their second Women's Super League match of the term having narrowly lost their opener away to West Ham United last Sunday. The hosts, meanwhile, secured a surprise victory against champions Chelsea to cement a positive return to the top flight.
Duggan watched the Reds in action last weekend and was impressed by their result. However, despite being ruled out of the match herself through injury, she is expecting her teammates to rally together and hopefully bring their rivals back down to earth this weekend.
"It [Liverpool's game against Chelsea] was fantastic, I watched it actually," Duggan added. "They put in a great performance and I don't think anyone expected that [result].
"But that's the level of Women's football now, anyone can beat anyone, and that's the level that we've wanted to get to for a long time now. It was a great statement by Liverpool but hopefully we can bring them back down to earth on Sunday.
"Our new manager has come in and he's great, he's got a great philosophy and he's very chilled and calm. There'll be no worries, even if we expected to win that first game.
"We have great talent in the squad so it's just about getting the atmosphere back together for this derby now. But, if you can't get up for a derby, you won't be up for any game.
"I'm sure the girls will be ready."
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