Former Bristol Rovers boss Clarke, who was joined in swapping Bristol for Walsall by coaches Marcus Stewart and Brian Dutton, added former Pirates James Clarke and Stuart Sinclair to his squad over the summer before recruiting striker Rory Gaffney earlier this month.
And the Mansfield-born gaffer believes it is important to surround himself with players who he knows have both ability and character, especially when he can't simply spend the Earth in order to achieve success.
Speaking via the Express & Star, Darrell said; "It’s easier bringing two or three faces that you’ve already worked with and you know the characteristics and the mental side of the players and obviously the ability - I think that helps.
"Any new players that you bring in to a football club, and any manager will tell you up and down the country, is a gamble.
"We’re not gambling with massive amounts of money, we’re trying to polish players up and make players better and it always helps with two or three.
"James Clarke, Rory Gaffney and Stuart Sinclair are boys I’ve worked with, they know how I work and they know they’re getting a slap if they’re not going to do their job as well."