Dundee United’s Peter Houston has accepted the need for cuts to be made in the current financial climate.
However, he also stressed the need for time to rebuild squads after change has swept through a club.
The Tangerines boss has seen his side slide down the SPL table after a promising start.
Their latest defeat was a dreadful drubbing from Inverness Caley Thistle, after which he apologised to fans for the performance of his players.
He claims, though, to have at his disposal fewer resources now than at any time during his spell at Tannadice.
”We are working with the smallest squad we’ve ever had,” said Houston.
”You keep cutting and I understand the board have to cut because there is no money there.
”You have to make cuts every year.
”It’s now the third year in a row that we’ve been cut and it’s important they do that to balance the books.
”But what people have to remember is that it will take time to rebuild.
”We have good, young players but some are not ready yet to play every week.
”The players’ attitude is fine but we’re disappointed with the last few matches. The league shows that we are second bottom but we were in that bottom area for a while last season and got out of it.
”If we win a few games in a row, we think we can be in second or third place again.
”To be honest, I don’t think, with the group of players we have, we will be anywhere near the bottom come the end of the season.”