Laura Kaminsky got Crystal Palace promoted
The first weekend of the month and the first three local derbies in November. A month which could have a great effect on our teams' progress for the rest of the season.
Newcastle United, Sunderland and Durham find themselves separated by two points; the former leading on nine, in sixth place, four points off the promotion places.
The biggest game of the weekend sees Newcastle travel to Maiden Castle on Sunday (12pm kick-off). With no sign of any appointment for a new head coach, Claire Ditchburn will continue in the caretaker role.
Having had over a week to reflect since Becky Langley and the club parted, it would seem that either that the right person has not been found or the right deal hasn't been struck yet. Looking around for possible candidates may take time but last week's victory at Ipswich would certainly help ease the urgency.
Discounting those [I mentioned last week while having my tongue firmly in my cheek](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sarina-wiegman-newcastle-united-manager-32781682), perhaps someone who has had success helping a team gain promotion out of this league would be a possibility.
Looking at recent seasons, London City Lionesses still have their manager, Jocelyn Precheur. Bristol City and Crystal Palace both came straight back down and their managers did not stay. Lauren Smith, previously of the former, is now head coach of England Under 19s while Laura Kaminsky is unattached. Kaminsky is well known to the Newcastle Director of Women's Football Grace Williams.
Their hosts Durham, who will want to get last week's defeat in Sheffield out of their system, won both of their meetings last season; the match back in March quite convincingly.
A whole week on the training pitch with their International players will certainly have done them no harm. They will be without former Newcastle skipper Amber Stobbs through injury, however.
Sunderland, who have lost their last two games, admittedly against two of the top three, host Portsmouth who beat Crystal Palace last time out.
The Lasses haven't won a match in six in all competitions which followed a bright start to the season. They will want to better last season's corresponding game which ended in a 2-2 draw.
After this weekend, two-thirds of eyes will turn to St James' Park for the Tyne-Wear derby. With close to 20,000 tickets already sold for it, it promises to be the biggest game of the season so far.