Chesterfield manager John Pemberton on transfers, wage cuts and creating a positive mentality

The Spireites have signed four players in Jordan Cropper, Nathan Tyson, Milan Butterfield and Kyle Letheren so far.

Pemberton, who has penned a 12-month contract with the Blues this week, says chairman Mike Goodwin has made it clear that finances are tight.

“I can’t have a huge squad and I don’t want one,” Pemberton told the DT.

"I don’t want to bring anyone in for the sake of it, I want to bring the right ones in.

"I am trying at the moment to probably make one more.

"I have lost out on a couple of targets because of the time between the takeover and people had other offers at other football clubs.

"The players I have got at the moment are working really hard and I want to give them an opportunity and let’s see what happens.”

Pemberton confirmed that all new players and those that re-signed have all taken a wage cut and penned one-year deals.

“That is important for me to have players coming in for the right reasons,” he explained.

"Every player has signed a one-year contract with a view to earning a second one and that’s where we are.

"I’ve signed a one-year contract because I think it is only fair that if I am asking the players to do that I have to do the same. So if I am to stay here next year at least I will have earned it. That’s the mentality we want to create.

"So you can imagine when you are talking to players and agents and you say ‘I don’t care what money they are earning, this is where we are, you take it or leave it’. Some have left it. The ones who have signed have taken it and that’s why I want them here.”

The 55-year-old also said that ideally he would like to sign players on permanent deals rather than relying on loans.

“There are players out there who are possibly available on loan but when you go to these clubs part of the thing is you have to play them and I don’t want to have to play someone because I am taking him because that takes away the competition,” he said. “So that is why I don’t want to go down the loan route at the moment.

“With Jordan Cropper I have never once been told (by Burnley) I have got to play him. My relationship with Sean Dyche is brilliant. He knows the score. If he (Cropper) doesn’t play well then he doesn’t get in the team.”

Pemberton did not wish to reveal which positions he would like to strengthen, but added: “What I am trying to do is have a nice balance to us so if I have to take one player off or one player is injured I can replace him with someone who plays the same position. That is what I am trying to do. I might not be able to do it all over the pitch but we will be there or thereabouts.”