Damien Duff knows money talks after revealing his budget would have been quadrupled had investors latched onto Shelbourne.
But while happy with the players he has brought in, the Reds boss says he was forced to ‘tap out’ of negotiations with other key targets as soon as wages were discussed.
Mooted investment in Shels from Southampton’s owners Sport Republic first surfaced going into their FAI Cup final showdown with Derry City in November.
But it failed to materialise and the Reds were then swiftly linked with an alternative source of financial support through an American businessman.
But a week out from the season, no deals have surfaced and Duff - who wants to push for Europe - has had to operate within his means as rivals splash the cash.
So far, he has brought in seven players in Paddy Barrett, Matty Smith, Evan Caffrey, Andrew Quinn, Kyle Robinson, Tyreke Wilson and Conor Kearns.
And last night, midfielder Kian Leavy - an Irish underage international - was snapped from Reading up on loan until June.
Brendan Clarke, Dan Carr, Daniel Hawkins, Aaron O’Driscoll, Josh Giurgi, Kyle O’Connor, Jamal Ibrahim, Francis Campbell and Stephan Negru have all left.
Duff said yesterday: "If the investment came in I probably would have been able to quadruple my budget.
“It didn't, so I’ve no issue. I’m really happy with the squad I have. I think the club is in talks with many people to get to the next level.
“It's not rocket science - you look at Derry, you look at Pat’s, you look at Rovers, any big player becomes available they are in straight away.
“Have I gone and chatted to these players? Yeah. DId they want to come to us? Yeah. But when money is spoken, I tap out.
"Usually at 27/28/29, a player with a lot of experience in the league that has a bit of quality costs €1,200 a week. I ain't got that. I might be able to get one or two or three of them but a lot of the teams above can keep forking out and I can't.
"So your 20/21-year-old, I want loads of kids in, they don't answer back."
While Duff appreciates that Shels chiefs are working to unearth investors, he insists he is staying out of it.
"I’m a dreamer at the end of the day,” said the Ireland legend, a week out from Shels’ first game of the season against Drogheda United.
“Some big players who signed for the big clubs with a lot of money, I met them but when it comes to negotiations, like I said, it’s ‘see you later.’
“The top two, top three teams probably have quadruple our budget but it doesn't faze me whatsoever.
“One bit I stand over is that of the 10 teams last year, the biggest improvement over 36 league games and four or five cup games, without a doubt was us.
“That’s from game one to game 36. That’s my greatest hope.
“We’ve a squad of players who have worked with me over the year and they’ve improved no end and that’s what I’ll rely on for our success - not paying a lot of money for them.”
And Duff added: “On paper, budget wise, do we have a right to be talking about (Europe)? No. Did we have a right to be talking about cup finals? No.
“But we’ve spoken about Europe and Cup finals because there’s no point (competing in a season) otherwise.”
Meanwhile, Duff insists that Shels’ horror show in the FAI Cup final won’t hold them back as they prepare to meet 2023 head on.
He led the Reds to the Aviva in his first season as a manager, but Shels got stage fright and a rampant Derry wiped the floor with them in a 4-0 demolition job.
"It's easy for me (to forget about it),” said Duff. “The big thing in the dressing room, and I said it down at the Aviva, is that it’s a wake up call - the levels they have to get to.
"I didn't need to speak to the lads during the off season because they came back with a drive that they might not have had if they won it, so it’s a positive for me.”
And Duff feels in a better position himself to attack the new season as he reckons he is far more streetwise in his surroundings with a year under the belt.
He recalled being a ‘nervous wreck’ when stepping out in last year’s opener against St Pat’s, under the lights at Tolka Park and in front of the TV cameras.
And then he was left shattered after the FAI Cup final disappointment.
“:I was probably on death's door at the end of the season, I worked myself to the bone but when the season finishes you don't know what to do with yourself,” he said.
“But I’ve grown as a person on and off the pitch. A lot of people in life go motoring along but I did something I was scared of, and I’m grateful for it.”
And Duff is relishing this second spin of the wheel as the season counts down.
The ex-Ireland and Celtic coach continued: “I'm going to Dalymount or Pat’s and I know what it's all about as an opposing manager.
“I know what I'm dealing with in other dugouts, I know the players now because you can watch them on Wyscout all you want, but I’ve seen them first hand.
“I made 101 mistakes last year but I think I know everyone and everything inside out now and that is the biggest learning.
"And if you compare our starting line up front last season, no disrespect, but I think it’s night and day.
“Even the lads who have been with us for a year, they know how we work, the intensity we work at. I think there’s a marked difference in the quality of everything.
“I think we’re a much better team but talk is cheap. It’s about doing it and delivering it on match day, Friday under lights."
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