THE NATURAL order has finally been restored for GC United fans.

Two wins in a row, Culina and Smeltz back in the side, Vanstratten finally playing like a genuine A-League quality keeper and most importantly the number one position on the ladder are all excellent signs that the GC juggernaut has regained its momentum. The win against Perth may have had elements of luck, but in such a tight competition most winning teams will need some luck to overcome the inherent evenness of the top six sides.

More importantly for United, the performance against a Glory side that has now established itself as a potential championship rival was good. Sure Culina could've dominated the midfield a little more. Porter could've been sharper in front of goal. The defence might've done more than look on as Howarth scored his equaliser. Pantelidis might've resisted the temptation to unleash on Jacob Burns on behalf of every midfielder who's had his ankles tapped by the expert play-stopper in the last 11 weeks. Overall, though, back-to-back wins is the ultimate remedy for the horror show that was September.

For the few negatives, there was a lot to take from the performance on the weekend. Vanstratten and Minniecon, two players who I earmarked in pre-season as critical to United's chances, put in debatably their best performances for the club. It was no surprise that Minniecon's withdrawal on the hour marked the end of the lightning-quick 20-year-old marked the end of genuinely threatening forward-play for the home side. For Vanstratten, he made some excellent saves and his turning of Wayne Srhoj's shot around the post late in the first half particularly had memories of 1999 flooding back.

Coming up next for United is a trip overseas to Wellington who should prove tough opposition. The NZ club will be trying to continue its six-game, err, unbeaten streak (a couple of wins in those six games might make it easier to give the ‘Nix credit for their current form). They'll also be keen to again get the better of their former star Shane Smeltz

In such a tight competition, a loss for United could see them slip all the way back down to fourth just a week after regaining top spot. But for the Gold Coast boys, playing in Aotearoa should feel just like their Kiwi-rich hometown. So long as the big guns Smeltz, Culina, Porter and Robson can continue to approach their early season form and Minniecon and Vanstratten can further their improvement a first away win outside of Queensland since round 3 should be on the cards.

As usual, the defence will be the biggest cause for concern but with just one goal conceded in the last three games combined with Wellington's record of just  one goal scored in the last three games, the form-guide definitely points to a comfortable night out for Bas, Thwaite and co.

With the top six sides starting to break away from Roar, Phoenix Jets and Fury as the season takes shape, it's going to be crucial for sides to gunning for the top of the table to take maximum points from the strugglers. United should see the match against Wellington as a chance to play with flair and confidence, and re-assert their credentials as the best footballing side in the league. For all the doubt that September brought, October has the potential to be the month where United truly establish themselves as the team to beat in 2009/2010.