Mixu Paatelainen has thanked the Dundee United board for stretching the budget that will be made available to him to bolster his relegation-threatened squad.
But he warned that he won’t be as busy in the January transfer window as many United fans might hope.
“We won’t be able to bring in many,” Paatelainen warned.
“The player budget is full at the moment. The chairman and board have indicated we can add even though the budget is full.
“They’re as determined as anybody else to turn things around.
“They’re willing to help us with extra investment which is great, and I’m very appreciative of that.”
The Finn, who is already looking at free agents who could be snapped up before the next window opens, added: “It’s also a question of who you bring in.
“Whoever comes in has to improve us. We can’t just bring somebody in for the sake of it.
“January is a difficult window. This time is a very difficult period. It could be loan deals but if there’s a player out of contract we’ll look at that as well.
“It would be better if they were our own players then we can work with them over a longer period and hopefully improve them.”
Much has been made of the youth of the United team, with the likes of former team-mate Maurice Malpas highlighting inexperience as one of the main reasons they are struggling at the bottom of the table.
So is experience the recruitment priority?
“It’s not everything,” Paatelainen pointed out. “Youth gives you energy, enthusiasm, and positive surprises.
“Experience helps in difficult days, absolutely. But it’s not all about experience.
“Whether you’re doing well or not so well, you need the right balance between youth and experience.
“In this difficult period we could do with a bit more experience in the side to calm the boys down on the pitch and make sure everybody stays concentrated and knows their jobs.
“It helps. There’s no question about that.”