Sunderland at Sheffield
the first attempt, Sheffield are also aiming to maintain an impressive upward trajectory.
Six league titles in eight seasons under the guidance of former head coach Helen Mitchell, who is now general manager, brought them to their current position.
Mulhern added: “The club made great strides under Helen and we have now embarked on a three-year plan to, hopefully, take us up to WSL1.
“It’s going to be a tough task because we’re the WSL2 new girls on the block.
“Everyone else in the league has got two years of professional experience behind them – even longer in the case of Everton and Bristol City.
“We won’t be [full-time] professional.
“The girls will be training a couple of nights a week and we’ll have to see how that works, but I’m confident we’ll give a good account of ourselves in the league and we’ll definitely be competitive.
“We’ve set ourselves no targets – at least not publicly – but what I’ll be looking for is a solid first season to establish ourselves as a WSL club.”
Mulhern’s team will kick off the league campaign with a home game against Durham on Wednesday, March 23.
Meanwhile, they have a great chance to get themselves matchsharp – and to set up a potential glory run to Wembley – by progressing in the FA Cup.
Favourites
Three rounds are due to be played before the start of the WSL season, but Mulhern is looking no further ahead than today’s thirdround tie.
Sheffield will be favourites to beat Leicester, who sit two leagues below them in the Premier League Midlands Division One – but they are flying high at the top of the table and boast a 100 per cent league record.
“We’ll be taking nothing for granted and we will give Leicester total respect,” said Mulhern.
“This game is our only focus right now, and I’m desperate to win it because a good Cup run would be a massive boost going into the league.”