JAMES MARRS has targeted a better goalscoring return from Albion Women in the quest for promotion.

But he also believes it would help their cause – and that of their divisional rivals – if the FA could move the goalposts at the same time.

The Seagulls have made four signings ahead of their opener at home to Forest Green on Sunday and two more could follow.

The accent has been on taking more of the chances they create as they look to improve on last term.

But Marrs also believes the league structure should be amended to reward progressive clubs such as Albion and several others in their division.

The former Gillingham manager guided his side to second place last season, his debut campaign in charge, just three points behind Portsmouth.

But Pompey remain in the third tier after they lost in a play-off against Sheffield, the Premier League north section winners.

That is where Marrs believes the structure is not quite right.

He told The Argus: “The league looks a lot stronger than last year. There are five or six teams who could win it – or maybe more.

“Cardiff, Coventry, Charlton, Portsmouth, West Ham, Tottenham, ourselves – there’s seven for you straight away. Portsmouth lost in the 93rd minute in the play-off so they finished the season on a downer.

“It’s something the FA need to look at because it’s a ridiculous situation.

“Winning the league is tough enough. But there aren’t many leagues where you don’t necessarily go up even if you win the title. You finish the league season, then there’s a two-week break then you have the play-off. Everyone is nervous and it’s difficult.

“I don’t see why both league winners can’t go up.”

Albion have a familiar face back among their potential goalgetters.

Kim Stenning, who netted 25 times in 26 starts in for the Seagulls three seasons ago, has rejoined from Millwall while Kat Natkiel also operates up front. Charlotte Young is a former England under-23 midfielder and Charlotte Sole is back at the club to add competition in goal. Centre-forward Fliss Gibbons has gone to Millwall Marrs said: “We had a very good season but we weren’t happy with the number of goals we scored. We feel we could have put away a few more chances so that is something we can improve.

“We need to nurse Charlotte back from a shoulder injury. We have Faye Baker who will compete to be No.1 and we also have Molly Towers with the development squad so we have three keepers for two positions, which is a good situation.”

Albion kick off at home to Forest Green and Marrs will warn his players not to take them lightly. But the hosts will go into the game with the best possible backing – and they appreciate it.

Marrs said: “Forest Green have been promoted from the league below and they will be flying. We will be seen as a bit of a scalp in the opening game.

“It’s a tough start. People will maybe view it differently but we are under no illusions as to what sort of performance we will need to put in. We are part-time but the players put a lot of work in. We train three days a week.

“We put in a serious amount of hours and we treat the players as if they were full-time professionals. We need to move into the Super League to go to that next stage and we are working hard to achieve that.

“The men’s side are fantastic with us. We use all the facilities at Lancing and they are very much behind us. Paul Barber talked to the players recently and told them how important they are to the club. That was really nice."

“Last season we did not have a single training session cancelled because of bad weather. We use the gym, the pool. It all contributes.”

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