“It’s a must win game for us at home to really consolidate our past two wins and a place in the top four,” Vidmar said.

“We’ve definitely taken steps in the right direction but when people say we are the most balanced or the best team in the competition, if we were the best team in the competition we would be leading it.”

The club is aiming to extend its winning run after to back-to-back victories when they meet Wellington Phoenix at Hindmarsh Stadium on Sunday.

United currently sit in second equal on points with two other teams, three points behind the top placed Central Coast Mariners.

The game will see the homecoming of former United Captain Ross Aloisi, who led The Reds to Premiers and a grand final berth in the first two A-League seasons.

But Vidmar says the Aloisi factor has no bearing going into the match.

“None at all," he insisted. "We’re playing the Wellington Phoenix on the weekend and know we’re going to be up for quite a physical game, we just have to match that.

"We have to match the intensity, have to be smart about the way we go about our things.”

The Reds have been dealt a blow in the lead up with defensive midfielder Jonas Salley ruled out after copping a knock to the knee against Sydney FC.

United has also lost another of its experienced defenders through injury, Angelo Costanzo joining Michael Valkanis on the sidelines, as he underwent an arthroscope on his knee ruling him out for a month.

This has allowed 22 year old Robert Cornthwaite to emerge this season and he is likely to be joined in the centre of defence by Milan Susak, who put in an encouraging performance in the second half against Sydney FC.

At the other end of the pitch, Vidmar is expected to start Dez Giraldi up front again who benefits from injury’s to Paul Agostino and Bruce Djite.

Injury prone striker Giraldi hopes to have turned the corner by making his third straight start and is now looking to score his first A-League goal.

Phoenix are the second highest scorers in the A-League after nine rounds (behind Adelaide United) but they have also conceded the most in the league.

And the Reds will be ready to exploit any leaks in the Phoenix defence on Sunday.

Phoenix striker Shane Smeltz, who was part of the Adelaide United mark 1 squad, has been a constant threat this season while Brazilians Daniel and Felipe can take a game apart.

Adelaide also face danger from Wellington's marquee signing Ahmad Elrich. The former Fulham veteran scored a cracker against the Mariners last weekend.

After Phoenix scored a late goal to salvage a point when the two teams met in a four goal thriller in Round 5, Vidmar knows his team must be focused for the full 90 minutes and cannot afford to lapse.

“They’re a very good side," he said. "After the goal they gave away to the Mariners last week, I'm sure they will be very eager to rectify that on Sunday.

"When you look at it player for player, on their day they can cause a lot of damage and being the second highest scorers in the league, it tells you something about their attacking ability.”

While remaining entrenched in the top four, a win against Wellington would also see United set a new club record seven consecutive home matches without defeat, passing the six game streak reached between November 2005 and February 2006.