Overseen by Clarke, the club were only able to secure young Reading winger Jack Nolan on a permanent deal before signing Fleetwood Town midfielder Nathan Sheron on loan for the rest of the season.
Despite the manager repeatedly telling the media he was working on adding an experienced winger to his squad the club were unable to make any further signings with Clarke insisting the 'inflated' market forced him to turn his transfer focus to the summer.
Speaking to the media shortly his side had slipped to defeat against Crewe, Darrell said; "For me, where we stand as a football club and where I stand, I thought the market for an experienced wide player was too much.
"That's me personally and I think it's better to keep our ink dry and save a bit of money. Save the money until the summer because, trust me, I want to be building a massive promotion team for next year.
"This market is inflated and I'm certainly not going to risk the finances. The chairman was right behind what I was saying. By experienced I don't mean over the hill, if the right one came along who had played over one-hundred games I'd have taken him.
"I didn't want a loan, I'm not interested in a loan, I wanted a permanent. The lads that I did go in for, their clubs were only interested in a loan so it was a dead deal. We'll work and focus in the summer.
"I'll put the clubs best interest first and it gives me a little bit extra to spend in the summer. It gives lads opportunities, the younger lads - it will put us in good stead in the future."