Cardiff City manager Lennie Lawrence believes his players are being paid too much in wages and bonuses.
"There's been a culture here that people get very well paid, and I think it's about time that culture changed," Lawrence told BBC Wales Sport
"We've been too benevolent as a club financially and I think it's about time it changed."
Gareth Whalley was left out of the side on Saturday, but will collect a £50,000 bonus if he plays again this season.
The midfielder had played the previous 10 Bluebirds games and would have reached the magic 23 game mark - which entitles Cardiff players to a bonus - at Preston had he been selected.
Lawrence stressed his decision to drop Whalley was not based on financial motives and made it clear the 30-year-old could yet play a part in the remaining two Division One games.
But the manager's strong words forcefully echo his previous sentiments that Cardiff are facing up to a harsher financial climate.
The club is already £21m in debt and need to raise £40m to fund a proposed new 30,000-seater stadium.