Derby County manager Paul Warne believes the Rams are not yet ready for the Championship after being promoted from League One last season.
The Rams have three points from their first three games in the second division and were eliminated from the Carabao Cup by League Two club Barrow on Tuesday.
Warne hopes to enhance his squad before the transfer market ends on Friday, but believes they must be realistic about who they can bring in.
“We’re still in the early stages of rebuilding this club,” he told BBC Radio Derby.
“We aren’t in a position to go out and get three players for two or three million dollars.
“Our mission is just to recruit the best athletes we can. Who are reasonable and available to us, and I am really satisfied with the ones we have brought in.
“You’re competing in a league where everybody else, well 20 other teams possibly, are Championship ready and we are not.”
Derby completed two seasons in League One and have signed nine players throughout the transfer window, most recently Tawanda Chirewa on loan from Wolves.
Warne stated that they will definitely conduct more business before the transfer window closes, and then look at out-of-contract players.
“I could have possibly got an unbelievable number nine in but no-one else,” according to him.
“I think we’ve done extremely well so far, but there’s still more work to do.
“Some players want to join a team that is pursuing success.
“We’re going for it, but our success may differ from how Burnley perceives their success, so you’re controlling that as well. “We are in a good position.”