"It was a team that thought they could just turn up and things were going to happen for them.
"We are not that type of team, and when we don't play with our hearts on our sleeves we get exactly what happened to us tonight."
On the second half improvement.
"There were a few words at half-time, a couple of substitutions, and it was a different team completely.
"And that's the most annoying thing for me.
"There are people who have spent their good honest money and left their work to come here today.
"And they have seen the Jekyll and Hyde of Plymouth Argyle.
"The second half was a million miles better than the first half, and certain people will lose their places because of that."
Sturrock's comments were similar to those after the 1-0 pre-season defeat at Yeovil Town a fortnight ago.
He said: "I'm having to say exactly the same things, but there was an honesty and a higher tempo to us in the second half."
Sturrock will have much to reflect on before deciding on his team for the trip to Reading in the Championship on Saturday.
He said: "There are certain players out there at this minute who are not playing to the standards that I would want them to achieve.
"They will pay by selection, but some of them will also pay by having to be moved on.
"In the end, I have to make spaces for the one or two other players I know this football club needs."
Sturrock would not be drawn on which members of his squad he would be seeking to move on.
He said: "I really don't want to discuss individual players. That judgement will be seen by my actions.
"I think it would be very unprofessional of me to air my thoughts."
Asked what positives he took from the Carling Cup defeat, Sturrock replied: "The first 30 minutes of the second half.
"We got ourselves in the right areas and we did all the things we try to preach.
"The substitutions definitely benefited us because it gave us a different threat.
"But, I have said all along, if you don't clear your lines at one end and you don't hold it up at the other end it's a recipe for disaster.
"The first half was exactly that."