Wellington had a very hard fought and deep run into the A-League final series. After a solid run in the league put them into a comfortable fourth position, they dispatched Sydney FC 3-2 in the first round of the finals through a late Ifill penalty. They were unable to overcome Perth in the so called 'Distance Derby' when Howarth scored in the 111^th minute in extra time.

Auckland legend Ricki Herbert continues on his long-term role as both the coach of the New Zealand national team and Wellington. There were a number of players leaving the club. Chris Greenacre retired to take up a coaching role, Tim Brown also retired, Brazilian Daniel was released, as was Tony Warner, Nick Ward and Brent Griffiths.

Glen Moss came in from Gold Coast, Jeremy Brockie from Newcastle, Michael Boxall coming from Vancouver Whitecaps of Canada, Belgian Stein Huysegems from Lierse, Benjamin Totori of the Solomon Islands has finally made his oft-predicted move to the A-League. Tyler Boyd and Louis Fenton were picked up from New Zealand lower league clubs. They signed Panamanian forward Ricardo Clarke on loan from Sporting San Miguelito to fill their attacking ranks.

Their early season contains several tough away matches. They will host Sydney FC in the first round and hope to play the villain against Del Piero's debut. They travel to Melbourne to play Melbourne Heart in a match the Wellington team will see as a very winnable fixture although All Whites international duty could mean half the squad is unavailable. Returning to New Zealand they take on Brisbane Roar, before going on a road double against Adelaide at Hindmarsh and Melbourne Victory at Etihad.

Wellington are one of the most settled teams in the league. They have not lost any major talent. They have recruited to improve their squad depth and have a very good understanding with manager Herbert. Their tactics are regular, their results have become consistent over time and they should continue that consistency through the season. Ifill is now 32 years of age but should have at least one more good season in him. Their fans can expect another finals appearance and in the finals no-one can truly predict what can happen. Wellington have the talent on the park to go all the way if they can put it together in the final series and teams will be wary of their ability.

I predict that Wellington will finish the season in 5th position.

1. Perth Glory
   
2. Central Coast Mariners
   
3. Brisbane Roar
   
4. Melbourne Victory
   
5. Wellington Phoenix
   
6. Sydney FC
   
7. Western Sydney Wanderers
   
8. Newcastle Jets
   
9. Adelaide United
   
10. Melbourne Heart
    

In 2011/12 Sydney FC's season was a relative failure. Expectations were to go deep into the final series after a top 2 league finish. Under Vitezslav Lavicka they languished in mid-table for the entire year, unable to overcome the workmanlike consistency of the Central Coast Mariners, the exciting attacking football of Brisbane or the tactically astute and star filled Perth Glory team. They finished in 5^th placed and were sent packing from the final series by an 86^th minute penalty to Paul Ifill of Wellington.

Vitezslav Lavicka was replaced by Englishman Ian Crook, promoted from his youth team manager position. Sydney have one of the largest transfer listings in the league. Leaving the club were Liam Reddy, Jamie Coyne, Michael Beauchamp, Hirofumi Moriyasu, Karol Kisel, Bruno Cazarine, Shannon Cole, Juho Makela, Mark Bridge and Scott Jamieson. Several of those players moving to local rivals Western Sydney Wanderers.

Two major pieces of news came out of the club, with Nick Carle moving on a high paid loan move to Baniyas of the UAE. This left them with a gaping hole in their attacking, as well as the desire for a marquee. After short speculation on a potential marquee, the club paid several million dollars for Alessandro Del Piero to join the resurrected 'Bling FC'.

Sydney FC have scored a goal off the pitch with the capture of De Piero. At 37 years of age many have questioned his ability to perform in the very fast paced and physical A-League. It also puts major pressure on new manager Crook to perform and win games. If Crook fails to take advantage of Del Piero or get Sydney back in the top 4 then the newly found Bling FC fans will start calling for his head. The board themselves are unlikely to tolerate any failure with such a massive and expensive signing with a worldwide following.

The early season for Sydney FC is not travel intensive. They play Wellington in Wellington as their first match, a very winnable game for both teams looking to score points on their likely finals position rivals. They play Newcastle at home, a game that looks like a victory for Sydney FC, and they will need to impress the bandwagon fans coming to see Del Piero playing for the first time. The first ever Sydney Derby is their 3^rd game of the season. By this match the pre-season cobwebs should well and truly have been shaken off and this will go a long way to showing the rest of the league what Sydney FC will do this season. They have a tough home match against Perth Glory in week 4. With an emotionally draining Derby just past it will take steel and nerve to hold off one of the best teams in the league. Their 5^th game of the season is travelling the short distance to Gosford to play the Mariners.

Sydney FC have assembled an average squad, with a marquee player of significant age. The loss of Nick Carle will be crucial. Terry Antonis has his chance to put a stamp on the competition this season and to earn a move overseas if he can provide quality service to Del Piero and Emerton. Defensively Sydney FC should do enough to fight for a top 6 finish but there will be heapings of pressure on the squad and Crook should they start the season badly.

I predict that Sydney FC will finish the season in 6th position.

1. Perth Glory
   
2. Central Coast Mariners
   
3. Brisbane Roar
   
4. Melbourne Victory
   
5. Wellington Phoenix
   
6. Sydney FC
   
7. Western Sydney Wanderers
   
8. Newcastle Jets
   
9. Adelaide United
   
10. Melbourne Heart