WHILST uncertainty still surrounds one managerial position at Ewood Park, Adam Lakeland has underlined his commitment to making the Rovers Ladies team a serious contender in the women and girls' game.

After a disappointing second season of top-flight football, in which Rovers ultimately finished eighth, Lakeland has high hopes for his young charges next term.

Following a stunning 6-0 victory at home to Cardiff City on the opening day of the 2007-08 campaign, Rovers found themselves top of the Premier League table for the first and only time in the club's history.

They stayed in touch with the leaders up until the turn of the year, but after failing to progress past the quarter-finals of either cup, coupled with a fixture programme fiasco caused by England's involvement in last year's World Cup, Rovers' once-promising season soon tailed off.

However, with further new signings on the horizon, Lakeland is confident his team will bounce back.

How would you sum up your second season in the National Division?

"Very frustrating - that's the biggest word I could use to describe how we've done.

"It took us two or three games to get going, which I fully expected after signing so many new players and making so many changes within the team.

"But between mid-September and November we went on a run of nine games unbeaten.

"We were knocked out of the Premier League Cup, which was a blow, but our league form remained fairly consistent and after the last game of the year at home to Leeds - which we won 2-1 - we were in second place and only a couple of points behind Bristol Academy.

"After Christmas and again it was a very frustrating time for me and all the players, due to the lack of games between January and April.

"It was really hard - my toughest few months as manager here. A very difficult challenge to maintain the fitness levels of the players and to keep people motivated.

"Although we played against some tough opponents, the lack of match fitness made it doubly difficult to get results - hence why we only picked up one point from our final six league games.

"But we learnt a lot during that period and that can only benefit us in the future."

Despite making progress in both domestic cup competitions, it must have been disappointing to get knocked out against the teams that you did?

"Both games - Liverpool in the Premier League Cup and Lincoln in the FA Cup - a hell of a lot of big decisions went against us and factors which affected how we try to play our game.

"In the past, we've enjoyed a little bit of luck, which you need, but this year we didn't get any.

"It was disappointing not to get further than the quarter-finals. But from our experience this year, if we get into the same position again next season, we'll have a good chance of overcoming those obstacles."

On a more positive note, it must have been pleasing to retain the Lancashire Cup for the fifth season in succession and to watch the progress made by some of the younger members of the squad?

"To win the Lancashire Cup is always one of our main objectives. It is also an opportunity to have a look at some of the younger girls in the squad in a competition where we put them under a pressure situation of wanting to win.

"The likes of Karen Hanson, Jenna Carroll and Emma McDougall have all been used in this respect and have all done very well.

"We pay a lot of focus on the development of younger players and one positive to have come out of this season is that when you look at the team, it has certainly improved on last year.

"We've also added some experienced heads with the likes of Natalie Preston, Karen Burke and Nicki Harding - and I hope to make one or two more additions over the summer to further strengthen the quality of the squad."

What does your role involve over the summer months?

"Whilst the players have been off on holiday relaxing, I've been working very hard since the season finished - travelling around, making enquiries and speaking to players at our club and elsewhere.

"It's been a busy time, but it's something all good managers should be committed to doing at this stage of the season.

"We've brought two girls in already, which I'm delighted about, and I'm hoping to get one or two more in over the next couple of weeks to help bolster the squad.

"On top of that, I've had pre-season preparations to finalise and trials for the younger age groups within the Rovers set-up."

Looking ahead to next season, what aims and ambitions do you have for the team?

"Our first priority for every new season is always to get to a certain amount of points, which as a group we'll decide upon. First and foremost, it is all about staying in this division.

"Once we have achieved that, then other ambitions come into play. There are a lot of teams, about five or six, within three to four points of each other. It's very competitive, but once you have secured safety, the likes of Leeds, Chelsea, Bristol Academy and ourselves will all be looking to try and get as close to the top two, Arsenal and Everton, as possible.

"It'll take time, but that's probably the next aim.

"However, as a manager, I love the cup competitions - and in particular the FA Cup. And to get respect right through the women's game, as an up-and-coming club, we need to get to the semi-finals at least of one of those two.

"But we've shown in the past - when we beat the likes of Leeds and Chelsea to reach the 2007 FA Cup semi-final - that on our day we can give anyone a good game."