Albion boss Steve Coppell is hoping the heavens keep on opening just enough for the players to prove again they are muddy marvels.

He is desperate for tomorrow's Withdean showdown against Wimbledon to go ahead, despite persistent rain.

The Withdean pitch is vastly improved this season after extensive drainage improvements but it is bound to cut up. Coppell believes that will benefit Albion as they bid for a first home win in five.

"I think the pitch being bad was an advantage in the last two seasons because you looked at it, walked out and thought oh ****," Coppell said.

"Now the pitch is good and you are playing against better quality players who want to play on good pitches.

"A comment was made that the two home games we have won (Bradford and Derby) were on a really heavy pitch when it was chucking it down.

"It could well be the more uncomfortable the atmosphere the more uncomfortable it is for First Division players who are used to playing in terrific stadiums on great surfaces.

"I hate to say it, but when I was at Palace we used to train on Saturday morning on the pitch. Teams like Manchester United wanted it nice and flat, like a bowling green. We trained on it and it was bobbling all over the place, but so be it."