It has been a controversial few days for the club with the 6-0 thrashing by Wellington followed by the news that United intend to cap crowds at 5,000 - a decision that has infuriated both the FFA and the club's supporters.

As for the football, Higgins retains his place in the side to face North Queensland Fury with Jess Vanstrattan sidelined for at least a fortnight with a back injury.

Wounded by the nature of the defeat by Wellington, Higgins is adamant the nightmare is behind the team. 

"Training has been really good this week and you can see the determination in the boys to put things right against the Fury on Saturday night. It can't come quick enough for us," Higgins said.

"It was obviously a bad day for everyone last week, but the great thing about football is that we have the chance to redeem ourselves this weekend. We have already put it behind us.

"Our early-season form was excellent and overall we're doing well in our first season. We've hit a few speed bumps recently but you don't become a bad team overnight and it's important to remember that."

The big custodian confirmed that his confidence was in good order despite last week's loss, but said he wouldn't be surprised if North Queensland were installed as favourites for Saturday's encounter.

 "I'm fine and have no dramas at all confidence-wise. There are better goalkeepers in the world who have copped four or five goals in a game and I'm just looking forward to playing this week," he said.

"There are no easy games in this league and with us coming off a loss and North Queensland's good win last round, then some would say they are the favourites. But any of that kind of talk won't matter when the two teams get out onto the park on Saturday night.

"The league is very tight and I think results so far this season have already showed that anyone can beat anyone on their day. If we are given the underdog tag then maybe that's a good thing for us."

Also out this week is central defender Kristian Rees, who will need another week to recover from the hip injury he suffered after just 24 minutes of the Wellington clash. Michael Thwaite is likely to revert to a central defensive role and partner Bas Van Den Brink at the heart of the United rearguard.