Ins:ย Adam Parkhouse (Manly United), Marco Rossi (Perugia), Kosta Barbarouses (Melbourne Victory), Gui Finkler (Melbourne Victory), Hamish Watson

Outs:ย Manny Muscat (Melbourne City), Blake Powell (released), Ben Sigmund (retired), Albert Riera (released)

Last season: Wellington were very disappointing in the 2015-16 campaign, winning just seven games from 27 and finishing in 9th position.

Apart from the Mariners in last place the Phoenix conceded the most goals and scored the second-least, and Ernie Merrick's men will need to drastically change that around this season if they want to challenge.

Key player: Kosta Barbarouses

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Kosta Barbarouses of the Phoenix celebrates scoring a goal during the FFA Cup Round of 32 match between the Western Sydney Wanderers and the Wellington Phoenix at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on August 2, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Kosta Barbarouses of the Phoenix celebrates scoring a goal during the FFA Cup Round of 32 match between the Western Sydney Wanderers and the Wellington Phoenix at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on August 2, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

The dual A-League Premiership player has been a big signing for the Phoenix over the summer, as Barbarouses returns to the club that handed him his A-League debut.

The 26-year-old made 21 appearances for the Phoenix over three years but didn't really burst onto the scene until he moved to Brisbane, but after time abroad and the past three seasons spent in Melbourne, Barbarouses is ready to make a big impact this time around.

Barbarouses was a mainstay in the Victory's lineup over the past three seasons and scored in the 2015 A-League Grand Final, and will return home with a wealth of experience under his belt.

He makes the move across the ditch with former Victory teammate Gui Finkler, and the pair will be itching to start off on the right foot at their new club.

Why they'll win:

Despite losing last season's top goalscorer in Blake Powell, the Phoenix have brought in more experienced players in Barbarouses and Finkler, so they shouldn't have much trouble converting chances this season.

Barbarouses and Roy Krishna will make a strong partnership up forward, and with goalscoring midfielders like Roly Bonevacia and Michael McGlinchey, Wellington will never be out of games until the final whistle.

Bonevacia is especially a key player in the Phoenix attack, and if the Dutchman can replicate or better his form from last sesaon, he should be able to steer Wellington in the right direction.

Why they won't:

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 17: Andrew Durante of the Phoenix reacts during the round 15 A-League match between the Newcastle Jets and the Wellington Phoenix at Hunter Stadium on January 17, 2016 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 17: Andrew Durante of the Phoenix reacts during the round 15 A-League match between the Newcastle Jets and the Wellington Phoenix at Hunter Stadium on January 17, 2016 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

Defence. After their defensive woes last season, it certainly doesn't help Ernie Merrick that two of his most experienced defendersย have departed the club.

Manny Muscat has moved to rivals Melbourne City, while Ben Sigmund has hung up the boots, as the 'Nix's troubles at the back now get even harder to fix.

Even if Wellington can't adequately replace the pair, they've got enough firepower up front to possibly push for a finals spot but as the old saying goes, 'defence wins championships'.

As it stands the Phoenix simply don't have enough quality in their back four to make a run at the A-League title, and Merrick will need to look at bringing in some signings if he's to rectify their defensive problems.

Starting XI:ย (All starting XI's are default 4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Glen Moss

Defenders: Tom Doyle, Marco Rossi, Andrew Durante,ย Dylan Fox

Midfielders: Gui Finkler, Roly Bonevacia, Michael McGlinchey, Vince Lia

Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses, Roy Krishna

Championship oddsย (courtesy of TopSport)

Predictions: 8th

While the Wellington Phoenix's new signings up front have given them another dimension going forward, the defence still remains a problem for Ernie Merrick.

With so many other good sides in the competition strengthening more areas of the park then the Phoenix have, expect Wellington to ultimately come up short when the season gets down to crunch time.