Argyle wasted money - Stapleton

Argyle chairman Paul Stapleton said the club wasted too much money

Plymouth Argyle chairman Paul Stapleton has said the club wasted too much money on speculative signings this season.

Former Belgium international striker Emile Mpenza, 30, was the most high-profile flop, making just nine appearances for the Pilgrims.

Stapleton told the club website: "We wasted a lot of money. It was the worst year for wasting money.

"We didn't get a return on some signings - particularly Emile Mpenza and Nicolas Marin."

He added: "That shouldn't happen in this football club. We've always prided ourselves on being prudent."

Stapleton said there had been too many lows during the season, which saw Plymouth in danger of relegation before finishing 21st, five points clear of the drop zone, and revealed he had spoken to manager Paul Sturrock about his disappointment.

There were too many lows last year. I've spoken to the manager about this and told him that's not good enough

Paul Stapleton

"Following two years of really good positions maybe we'd become a bit complacent in our attitude," he said.

"It's only when you start to flirt with the spectre of relegation that you realise how serious it would be to find yourselves out of the Championship.

"There were too many lows last year. I've spoken to the manager about this and told him that's not good enough.

"Paul is anxious to sort things out and anxious to do things right."

Despite the disappointing campaign at Home Park, Stapleton believes Argyle can challenge for the Premier League

"In my view, Plymouth Argyle aren't very far from being a Burnley team," he said. "We aren't very far from being a Hull team.

"There is always one of those who come through the pack in a year and there is no reason why we couldn't emulate one of them - if they can do it, I'm sure we can do it."