After two road wins to start the W-League, United crashed back to earth with a 4-2 defeat against the defending premier at home.

But Migchelsen will put faith in the players to atone against strong rivals Roar, who will be desperate after securing just three points from their first three games.

The two clubs have squared off in two grand finals with a win apiece, the most recent Canberra's 3-2 victory in the 2011-12 decider which capped an unbeaten season.

Roar had the last laugh last season, ending United's campaign with a 2-1 win at McKellar Park, something Canberra's US recruit Lori Lindsey hasn't forgotten.

"For sure [we feel the rivalry], this is only my second [W-League] season but you can definitely tell the intensity of the game lifts," she said.

"They got us in the semi-finals last year, we're looking forward to the challenge.

"The cliche is you have to beat the best to be the best."

Lindsey insisted the loss to Victory wasn't a reality check, pointing out United were made to pay for vital mistakes.

"The good thing is a lot of that was under our control, the mistakes were our doing and in my opinion I feel we should have got at least a point out of that game," she said.

"There was some good moments and if we took some chances the result could have been different."

Migchelsen will resist reacting hastily to the result, and said any changes made would come down to what style best suited playing the Roar.

"I'm not the kind of coach who will makes changes in a team because we've lost one game," she said.

"If I'm honest they [Melbourne] had five or six chances, and were more clinical at finishing than we were.

"I have faith in all my players and I look at what's the best starting 11 for each game.

"Sometimes you change one or two players, but it's more tactical than [an indication] I don't believe in the players."

SATURDAY

W-League round four: Canberra United v Brisbane Roar at McKellar Park, 5pm