Fans must be patient
Sturrock has repeatedly voiced his frustration over the club's failure to land player targets during the off season.
Argyle's pre-season matches have also not been encouraging, with defeats at home to Sturrock's former club Dundee United and away at Yeovil.
But McCarthy (pictured right), who is himself launching a new managerial career with Southern League club Truro City, said he was convinced Scotsman Sturrock was the man to turn the team around.
McCarthy said: “A lot of players have left for various reasons – Sylvan Ebanks-Blake had a clause in his contract, David Norris wanted to go and Paul Connolly's contract was up.
“Paul Sturrock's hands were tied and now he has got to work hard to build up a team again, which I don't think is going to happen overnight.
“The supporters have got to be patient – Argyle finished in the top half of the table last season and for them to do that is some achievement.
“Paul has got to build a squad that he wants and I think he will get there. He's very shrewd in the transfer market and knows he has to bring in quality players for less money.”
McCarthy, also a former Welsh international, said he had seen Argyle three times in pre-season matches – including his team Truro City's 1-0 defeat by the Pilgrims.
He said: “He (Sturrock) is experimenting and I am sure the team that he puts out on Saturday (in Argyle's first Championship game against Wolves at Home Park) will be very different.
“I think the team is not yet a finished article, but I also think that he will get it right.”
Some sections of Argyle supporters have already written off their team's chances of even staying in the Championship.
Argyle are struggling to attract so-called top-flight players to Home Park because they either cannot not afford the player's transfer fees, or their wages, or both.
But McCarthy, who made 175 appearances for the Pilgrims in two stints at Home Park and scored 47 goals, said it was too early to be negative about Argyle's Championship hopes.
He said: “It's not the time to be negative – people should be getting behind the club.
“It's not going to be an easy season, but Paul Sturrock is rebuilding the side and if anybody can do it, he can. Results from pre-season games are not something that bother me too much, to be honest, because the main aim is to get the lads fit.
“Managers want to get it right for the start of the season, but they are also worried about players giving 100 per cent in case they get injured. Deep down, I suspect Paul knows his strongest side for Saturday.”
Queens Park Rangers midfielder Simon Walton, 20, is having a medical with Argyle today with a view to a £750,000 transfer.
Walton has already agreed personal terms with the Pilgrims and is set to become Sturrock's sixth summer signing.
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