Ivan Cleary survived a baptism of fire in his first NRL season in charge at Penrith, but all signs point to an even tougher 12 months at the foot of the mountains in 2013.

Expectations are low out west, with plenty wondering aloud just how a team that narrowly avoided the wooden spoon in 2012 can improve after losing its three best players.

Michael Jennings (Sydney Roosters) and Michael Gordon (Cronulla) have been the club’s two most threatening backline weapons in the past three seasons while, in Luke Lewis (Cronulla), the Panthers are losing a former captain and the heart and soul of their forward pack.

Yet, if coach Cleary is concerned, he’s not showing it.

And there’s a reasonable explanation why he continues to exude the same cool as a cucumber demeanour he presented in his playing days.

Through injuries, representative commitments and, in Jennings’ case, a stint in reserve grade, Cleary had all three of those players available for just one match last season – their round-one loss to Canterbury.

In essence, he’s been preparing for life without them for a season already.

And their departures allowed him to bring in more than half a dozen recruits boasting more than 30 years of NRL experience.

If the newcomers have one thing in common, it’s desire to make a mark.

Wes Naiqama was unwanted by Wayne Bennett at Newcastle, Lewis Brown left the Warriors after his worst season while imposing backrower Sika Manu was cut loose by premiers Melbourne who ran out of salary cap space.

“Wes has got a level head on his shoulders but he has a point to prove, which is never a bad thing,” Cleary told AAP.

“Lewis Brown is another one who is very keen to impress. He’s like Wes. It’s good to get guys who know their job but also have a point to prove and a bit of fire in the belly.

“Obviously when you recruit, you’re trying to improve the team. It’s not always about picking the best players. It’s about how the whole team fits together.”

Despite the loss of three key players, Cleary argues he’s better placed to make his mark on Penrith than he was last year.

“I’m way more prepared having come off a season, and understanding what is in front of us,” Cleary said.

“For me personally, the year before, I’d just come out of the grand final with the Warriors, and I was moving and coming to a new club – it was all a bit of a whirlwind.

“In that sense, we’re much more prepared and settled.

“The program we’ve been able to put in place for this pre-season is much more thorough and probably more designed for getting us to play better earlier.”

Even accounting for their star losses, the Panthers will have a vastly different look to them in 2012.

Lachlan Coote, who has played almost exclusively in the No.1 jersey during his five NRL seasons, has instead been planted in the halves alongside Luke Walsh, replacing Travis Burns at five-eighth.

That opens the door for recruits Naiqama and Dean Whare to battle it out for the fullback spot – with the loser all but guaranteed a start in the centres next to incumbent Brad Tighe.

Coote played in the halves as a junior and was tested there again late last season.

Cleary senses his strengths could combine well with the different attributes Walsh brings.

“(In juniors) sometimes your best player ends up at half or five-eighth because they just get the ball more,” Cleary said.

“At this level, it’s a bit more organising and your whole thoughts on the game have got to be a bit more expansive. He (Coote) is still learning all that.

“He’s probably best playing instinctively whereas, with Luke, the organisational side of things comes more naturally to him.

“It’s not a bad combination in that sense. They seem to get on well.

“They’re into each other a bit, but that’s what you want. They’re keeping each other honest.”