Ins: Mickael Tavares (Sydney FC), Jacques Faty (Sydney FC), Connor Pain (Melbourne Victory), Blake Powell (Wellington Phoenix), Ivan Necevski (Sydney FC), Kwabena Appiah (Wellington Phoenix), Adam Berry (promoted), Jake Adelson (promoted)

Outs: Joshua Rose (Melbourne City), Mitch Austin (Melbourne Victory), Anthony Kalik (HNK Hajduk Split), Luis Garcia (end of contract), Daniel Heffernan (released), Francesco Stella (released), Tomislav Uskok (released)

Last season:

The Mariners picked up their first ever wooden spoon last season, finishing in last place with just three wins. 20 losses in 27 games and a record 70 goals conceded saw Central Coast glued to the bottom for the majority of the campaign, with very few highlights to come from 2015/16.

Key player: Mickael Tavares

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 26: Mickael Tavares of Sydney FC controls the ball during the round 16 A-League match between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC at Etihad Stadium on January 26, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 26: Mickael Tavares of Sydney FC controls the ball during the round 16 A-League match between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC at Etihad Stadium on January 26, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Tavares made the move to the Mariners in the off-season after spending the previous campaign with Sydney FC.

The holding midfielder played an impressive role in Sydney's 2015/16 season and helped the Sky Blues qualify for the grand final, before ultimately going down to Melbourne Victory 3-0.

Tavares made 11 appearances last season for Sydney, and headed north with cousin Jacques Faty following the completion of the campaign.

The 33-year-old moves to Central Coast and brings a wealth of experience with him, which is crucial to a side currently lacking in that department.

Paul Okon will be looking for Faty and Tavares to help tutor teammates on and off the field, so look for Tavares to have a key role in the upcoming season.

Why they'll win:

It'll be hard to see the Mariners make a run in the finals if they make it that far, but sometimes a team playing with freedom can do remarkable things.

Despite a lot of pressure being on the Mariners to see if they can turn the club around this season, many pundits are still tipping Central Coast to finish at the bottom of the table, which could give them motivation to prove the doubters wrong.

While it's a very youthful squad there's definitely some talent there, and if players like Connor Pain, Blake Powell, Liam Rose and Storm Roux can fulfill their potential this season, Paul Okon's men may be a surprise packet this season.

Why they won't:

GOSFORD, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 20: Roy O'Donovan of the Mariners looks dejected after the loss during the round 11 A-League match between the Central Coast Mariners and the Brisbane Roar at Central Coast Stadium on December 20, 2015 in Gosford, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
GOSFORD, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 20: Roy O'Donovan of the Mariners looks dejected after the loss during the round 11 A-League match between the Central Coast Mariners and the Brisbane Roar at Central Coast Stadium on December 20, 2015 in Gosford, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

A new coach and a new, young squad doesn't generally produce big results in the first season, let alone in a season following the one the Mariners had last year.

Tony Walmsley was sacked after the Mariners were beaten by NPL VIC outfit Green Gully in the FFA Cup Round of 32, and former Socceroo Paul Okon was brought in to steer the ship, but there's no doubt it'll take some time for Okon and his players to be on the same page.

This competition is shaping up to be one of the strongest the A-League has ever seen, so for the moment, the Central Coast Mariners may have to bide their time in the bottom four.

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

Goalkeeper: Paul Izzo

Defenders: Michael Neill, Jacques Faty, Jake McGing, Storm Roux

Midfielders: Fabio Ferreira, Liam Rose, Nick Montgomery, Connor Pain

Forwards: Roy O'Donovan, Blake Powell

Championship odds (courtesy of TopSport)

Prediction: 10th

While the future does look bright on the Central Coast if Okon and co. can get the best from their players, it doesn't look like they can make a dent this season.

Some much needs to come together in so little time after Okon was given the position less then two months out from the beginning of the season, so don't expect much from Central Coast in 2016, especially not in the opening rounds.