Last season's A-League wooden spooners start their new era under the wily former Sydney FC supremo with a home clash against Wellington on Sunday.

Boosted by marquee signing Fabio Vignaroli inking a one-year deal at EA Stadium late on Wednesday, Culina is cautiously optimistic about the new season.

However, he may put aside his natural instinct to attack for a more cautious approach at least in the early stages of the season.

"For us, the additional problem has been the interruption to our pre-season due to the ACL," Culina told au.fourfourtwo.com.

"And we've had a lot of injuries with seven or eight players likely to be out for two to six weeks, so that's got to be a little bit more careful  in terms of how we play.

"I just ask our supporters to be a little bit patient early on because we do have a good squad. Look at the list and you see Milicevic, Elrich, Thompson, Patafta, Kantarovski, Costanzo, Petrovski - they are names who are successful and have pride. Why wouldn't you be optimistic?"

Phoenix arrive with few people talking them up on this side of the ditch - particularly as the name Smeltz will not be on Ricki Herbert's teamsheet.

However, Culina is too shrewd to undervalue a squad that has a stable defence and an attacking six that includes Paul Ifill, Chris Greenacre, Leo Bertos, Diego and Daniel.

"Wellington is probably an unknown quantity however they've picked up some very decent players. They were very competitive last year so I don't expect it to be different this year," said Culina.

"In fact, all the teams seemed to have done better this year with their recruiting which is a real positive for the competition.  I mean look at Perth Glory with not one, but three Australian internationals."

Culina will look to his own one-time Socceroo regular, Ljubo Milicevic, to marshal his side this season. It looms as a key time for the former FC Thun, Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory man.

"Ljubo is a fabulous player," said Culina. "I just hope he is fully fit and avoids injuries and focuses on football and not other off-field issues. Because when he does, honestly, there aren't too many better players going around."

It's understood Milicevic is relishing the Culina reign after a tumultuous first six months at the club and is enjoying his football - and life - in the seaside city.  

Culina added: "I'm not going to push him for this that and the other, but I will say he is a wonderful football player. We're going to have a great player on our books.

"Ljubo and I have a bit of mutual respect. I respect him as a human being first and second as a player. I think he respects me too, so through that we hope to avoid some of the things that may have bothered Ljubo in the past.

"Having said that, it's a challenge for him and me and it's an on-going one for the rest of the season because Ljubo is too good a player and a person not to get more out of his game and life than what he was getting.

"And in the time I've been coach, he's been absolutely fantastic."