United remain on top of the NPL1 eastern conference after seven rounds, with Melbourne Victory breathing down their necks.

Coach James Coutts said training track form should have them back on the winner’s list.

“Two weeks ago we drew with Eastern Lions and I would say that was our most complete performance of the year,” he said.

“We had a disrupted preparation ahead of last week — spent a night in the gym and it showed with Bulleen making us look vulnerable when we turned the ball over.

“But as of Monday we now have a solid training base at Kelly Park and that has already made a huge difference.”

Coutts said he doesn’t look at ladders.

“I need to concentrate on our game and respond to what happens week to week and during the game,” he said.

“The key to NPL is the speed of the ball movement — most of the teams in the competition are happy to let you have the ball but you have to create the chances and you can only do that by being precise and crisp — probing for the gaps.

“That happened two weeks ago but was missing last weekend.”

Coutts said he took great pride in the number of under-20s who had already stepped up into the senior team.

“The attitude of this squad, their commitment, has been excellent from day one,” he said.

“Melkie Woldemichael has become a better player as the season progressed and is a benchmark for the club in his application and commitment, he probably been our best player in seniors for the past three weeks.