I was wrong about Newcastle after pre-season fears but Sunderland have ideal mix

It's been a mixed start to the new season for the North East's big three sides as the women's football schedule takes a pause for the October international break.

We're five games into the new campaign, with Newcastle United and Sunderland boasting unbeaten records, while Durham are showing signs of improvement.

Newcastle United sit proudly at the top of the WSL2 table having won all five of their league games in a blistering start to the season. I will hold my hands up and say that I was wrong!

Having watched them early in pre-season against Inter Milan and seeing them struggle, they have certainly turned it around and dismissed my fears.

Speaking to Tanya Oxtoby after the 3-0 win over Durham game last week, it was evident that her team had worked incredibly hard to show that the results they have achieved are fully deserved.

She has assembled a fantastic squad, and while you could worry that there aren't enough places for the number of players, all of whom want to play every game, looking at it from the outside, things are going well.

Jordan Nobbs, for example, started her first game of the season against Durham and ran the show. She really was the major difference in that local derby in the second half.

Their victory in that fixture was "another one of the firsts we're ticking off this season". This sounds like Newcastle have a gradual plan of improvement, which in their circumstances is a sensible thing - everyone plays their part towards the ultimate goal.

While players like Martha Thomas, Nobbs and Beth Lumsden get the plaudits for their fantastic work up the field, special mention must go to the defence and goalkeepers, along with Stevie Brass, the goalkeeping coach who stepped back in early on this season.

Only conceding one goal so far in the five games is a fantastic base to build, although if Anna Tamminen hadn't saved well from Lauren Briggs in the second half, when Durham were on top, it could have been a different story.

Sunderland are hot on their neighbours' heels, but have drawn a game in their unbeaten run. Mel Reay has used her newly-acquired resources well without changing her and the club's philosophy and it is bringing success. More Internationals grace the squad and this is just what Sunderland need to challenge.

Of course, youngsters are also coming through and playing their part too. We saw Chloe Paxton break through during last season, and she has continued into this one. Joining Mary Corbyn, Emily Cassop and, of course, Katy Watson, have come through the ranks, and there are many not too far behind and I'm sure we'll see them soon.

Durham have yet to win a game but their story is not that simple to tell. They will come good! Confidence is growing, performances have improved and Willie Kirk is beginning to see signs of what he wants.

Certainly in their last two games against Manchester United and Newcastle United, they had spells which, with a little bit of luck, could have brought better looking results.

Have they been playing catch-up from their roller-coaster summer? Perhaps, but the injuries to key players haven't helped either. They have the players, they have the supporters and they have the club. They will pull this around.

All three clubs will be looking forward to the next batch of games, following the return of their International players. Some mouth-watering cup ties and a few local derbies before Christmas will certainly keep it exciting for all. It will be very interesting watching from the sidelines.