ARGYLE manager Paul Sturrock has a stark message for Pilgrims' fans disappointed by the departure of another big-name player from Home Park: "Get used to it."

Luggy spoke frankly in the wake of the transfer of Hungarian international Péter Halmosi to Premier League Hull City on Wednesday.

"I'm disappointed, because no manager likes losing his best players," hesaid, "but I am also a realist.

"This sort of thing will happen regularly to Plymouth Argyle, and it is frustrating for me and for 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," he said.

"That is the reality of the situation.

"Everyone knows Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Old Trafford. United might get a bit bolshie about it for a while, but it will happen; Arsenal will not be able to keep hold of Adebayor if the player wants to leave. That is fact in this day and age.

"If it's happening for these boys, it gets much, much easier when you're at Plymouth Argyle, when the big fish come in for the wee fish.

"We do it as well. We prised Jamie Mackie away from Exeter, and nicked Jason Puncheon from Barnet. I don't expect those clubs' fans were happy then."

"This kind of news will also happen to Plymouth Argyle. It a circumstance of finance that has led to this.

"Crowds of 13,000 will not pay the wage-bill alone, so we have to find money from somewhere else.

"What we have to do is to realise that this is going to happen, and plan accordingly.

"Whoever the manager is, is going to have to build teams regularly to prepare for it."

Péter's move to Hull follows the loss in January's transfer-window of David Norris, to Ipswich; and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, to Wolves.

Luggy said: "We had the culture shock of Norris and Ebanks-Blake in January, and now we've got the shock of Halmosi before the season starts.

"A Plymouth price has been offered, and accepted, and he has been a fantastic signing.

"We've had tremendous service from some of the treasures we've had, then they go - if we get the Plymouth prices, then they go.

"So we get service and we get finance. The wage-bill has more than doubled in just a few years, so it's a no-brainer."

"It is frustrating. Let's be frank - no manager want to loseNorris, Ebanks-Blake, and Halmosi, but, if we have good players who give us good service, other clubs are going to take notice and want what we have got.

"We're not alone. Sylvan has been at Wolves for six months, scored some goals, and the vultures are circling already - his form is attracting attention."

"However, my job as manager is for me to continually rebuild our squad.

"I've got to de-cloud the air now and mould the team again, and get the people in that will benefit the team, because we have to be that kind of club.

"That's why I'm going to take a bit of time on one or two signings. I've lost what you could call my offensive unit - playmakers and goal scorers - and you just don't replace them like for like.

"To replace them is big, big money. The problem, the Catch 22, is that, even if you can afford the fee, you can't afford the wages.

"So I've got to bring in players that have potential and who will grab the opportunity that I give him, then, I'm afraid to say, that we sell in years to come.

"It's frustrating, but it's a management skill, and something that I've got to try and get right every year."

Rick Cowdery