Sturrock warns fans there will be tough times ahead

Plymouth Argyle manager Paul Sturrock has told Pilgrims fans to get used to losing their top-flight players to more successful clubs.

His frankness comes amid the record transfer of Hungarian international P�ter Halmosi to Premier League newboys Hull City on Wednesday.

"I'm disappointed, because no manager likes losing his best players," Sturrock told BBC Spotlight.

"But this sort of thing will happen and it is frustrating for me and the fans."

"But I want our supporters to understand that this is the way of the world - it is not unique to Plymouth Argyle because we are a 'small' club, or an 'unambitious' club.

"Big fish prey on little fish, little fish prey on tiny fish, and tiny fish prey on even tinier fish.

"If a club with the status of Manchester United can get raided for it's best player, we have got no realistic chance of keeping our players when they are wanted by bigger clubs.

"That is sadly the reality of the situation."

In January's transfer-window Argyle also lost midfielder David Norris to Ipswich for �1.25m and striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake to Wolves for �1.5m.