Albion v Brentford 9/1/2010

Given the weather forecast for the next few days, what is the club doing to protect the pitch at Withdean? I ask because, clearly, if the pitch is left uncovered then there is no chance that the game will be played on Saturday.

Though postponements are inevitable, professional clubs should make every effort to make their pitches playable, especially when aware of the likely weather conditions.

It is not as simple as throwing a cover over the pitch and then taking it off on matchday and the pitch being playable.

Firstly, the pitch can only be covered for a limited period. If you leave it covered for too long it starts to kill the grass which is worse than the frost.

Secondly, the frost can actually get through the covers, usually when it drops to around -4 degrees. Which is what has happened in the last week.

Thirdly, were snow to fall on the covers, then this creates an even bigger problem when it comes to removing the covers.

Rest assured our groundstaff are experts and react to weather (and forecasts) accordingly and do everything possible to ensure matches can be played and the pitch remains in the best possible condition moving forward for the reasons explained above.

Usually, if the pitch is not frozen, and frost is forecast, the covers go over it at night and then come off during the day to let light get to the pitch and on again at night. If it is frozen or snow is forecast then it doesn't get covered.