Airdrie assistant boss Declan Gallagher has stressed that the Diamonds won't splash the cash just for the sake of trying to compete with their big-spending rivals in League One.
Hamilton Accies and Ross County lead the way at the summit after a summer spending spree, while the Diamonds have turned to a squad filled with young players after new boss John Rankin embarked on a summer rebuild following last season's relegation from the Championship.
After four games the gulf is already clear: Airdrie sit second from bottom with just two points after suffering a 4-0 defeat at Accies and a 3-1 loss to the Staggies on home turf.
Fans calling for experienced signings
Fans are crying out for the club to bring in experienced players to support the youngsters, but Gallagher admits while they have been trying to do just that, the club won't spend outwith their means to match their rivals.
He said: "We are always actively looking for players but we can't just go out there and spend whatever money people think we should be spending on experienced players. We can't just go and get a Curtis Main or somebody like that, unfortunately."
"Sometimes you just can't match teams' wages in this league and that just happens. We have to do what is right for the club financially. We don't want to be getting into any trouble or things like that. We have to abide by things financially and that is just where we are."
Pay packet challenge
"The club is looking to bring in experienced players but with that experience comes that pay packet that experienced players look for. It is hard, there is no shying away from that, but the club are trying to help us. But it is a two-way street. We can only put offers out to players and hope they accept."
Asked if they had been close to bringing in that experience, Gallagher added: "There's always close calls in football. One minute it has seemed like someone is coming in the door, but they go somewhere else. It is tough but we are actively looking."
Airdrie - who lost 3-1 to Stirling Albion in the KDM Evolution Trophy on Tuesday night - are back in league action on Saturday when they host East Fife.
