| Cardiff looking to buy on the cheap Cardiff City manager Dave Jones has warned the fans not to expect any big-money signings over the summer.
Jones, who saw his side collect just two points from their last nine games, revealed that some 17 players will exit the club as he rebuilds his squad.
Some of those to leave will include players under contract, he said, as the club needs to raise the funds to spend.
"It's going to be slow rebuilding, we haven't got millions of pounds to spend," Jones told BBC Wales Sport.
"Some of the players are not good enough to do what I want them to do and will leave, that's just football. Some players under contract will go on the transfer list because we have to move some out to bring others in. We'll go away for a week, then the rest of the close-season has been planned. When the players come back, I will explain everything to those who are staying and to those who are going. Hopefully we'll find the right ones to come in - people who want to come in to this club. When you haven't got the right facilities, you've got to sell the dream. We've been able to do that on most occasions and we'll have to continue to do that for the next 18 months."
With Neil Alexander leaving the club after rejecting a new contract offer, signing a new goalkeeper will be one of Jones' priorities.
The manager is also keen to strengthen his defence with experienced centre-backs, while striker Steve Thompson could find himself on the transfer list after scoring just six goals this season.
A lack of strength in depth in Cardiff's squad has forced Jones to turn to the club's youngsters, with teenagers Chris Gunter, Darcy Blake and Aaron Ramsey making their Championship debuts this season.
Joe Ledley and Glenn Loovens have added to the side's youthful look.
Jones admitted his side's lack of experience told in the final games, but he says he will keep faith with the youngsters and is confident they have the talent to take Cardiff to the Premiership.
"We've come up a long way short, but the players - many of them youngsters - have performed above a lot of people's expectations," he said.
"Some of the criticism is justified, but a lot of the players are good enough - they just weren't ready to take the next step. We're building but people want it now. We can't do that because we haven't got the resources or the funds. But I'd rather look at it like we weren't ready to go up. It's been a good season in certain parts, with disappointment at the death. Hopefully we'll learn from this year and get stronger."
Despite spending many weeks at the top of the Championship, the Bluebirds finally finished in the bottom half of the table in 13th place.
And Jones said he hopes the disappointment of not even reaching the play-offs will be the incentive for everyone to do better next season.
"I'm hurting very deeply and I won't let that feeling go," Jones said.
"You've got to get over the disappointments, but you've also got to keep them as a reminder that you don't want it to happen again. I'll be hurting until I'm out of this division. It will happen for this club, I'm sure of that. Whether it will be in my time I don't know, but it will happen." |