Watford Ladies boss John Salomon says he is already planning for next season after the Golden Girls finished their inaugural Women’s Super League 2 campaign in seventh place.

A 3-0 defeat to Reading at the weekend meant it was a disappointing way to finish the campaign for the Hornets.

“I think there’s a lot to review now, which we’ve been trying to do over the last few weeks to be honest,” Salomon said after Sunday’s defeat.

“Although it’s the end of the season today, we have been planning. The wheels are already in motion for next season.

“It is important that we do that, there is a lot to take stock of and to learn from this season.

“That is what we have said to the players as well, they need to know exactly where they need to improve and where they need to be better.

“We are very ambitious as a football club and want to be competing at the other end of the table.”

Sunday’s game was Lauren Davey’s final match in a Golden Girls’ shirt. She is retiring following a string of injuries.

Salomon was full of praise for his goalkeeper and captain and said she will remain with the Hornets in some capacity.

He said: “She’s been superb and I couldn’t have asked for a better captain and I say that so genuinely.

“Lauren’s been not just a fantastic player but also great to have in the dressing room. She’s been a role model for the players and a great ambassador off the pitch for the club. We’re very proud to have had her at the club for such a long period of time.

“We’ll make sure that she has a role next season, she’s a Watford girl and will continue to be a big player for us moving forward even if it’s not on the pitch.”

Watford ended the season with 18 points. They had started the campaign promisingly but fell away and won just one of their last ten matches.

Salomon puts that down to tiredness. He said: “It’s no excuse but they’ve had a long season. Some of them have played not just this season but they went out on loan initially, before coming across and adjusting to this new calendar of football fixtures.

“You could see that today (Sunday), mentally the players are tired. They need the break so that they can refresh, recharge the batteries and be ready to go for next season.”