Brown on Arsenal postponement

Steve Brown has just about recovered from the disappointment of Tuesday's postponement, when the Hammers' reserve clash with Arsenal was called off due to a water-logged pitch.

The reserve team coach revealed that he was set to field a full-strength side and that the players were just as keen to get out there as he was.

"I can't tell you how disappointed I was that it was called off," he said. "They didn't call it off until three o'clock, so I had to call round all the players and tell them it was cancelled. They were naturally disappointed as they were all getting ready for it and tucking in to their pre-match meals."

"It would have been a great night - I had Paul Konchesky, Teddy, Hayden Mullins, Kepa, Carlton Cole. It was a great side. We're bottom of the reserve league with a point and it might have given us that boost.

"Winning's a good habit, whether it's reserves, youth team or first team. We haven't had a win for a while and I think we would have gone across there and got the three points. It would have been a nice lift."

Steve added that Monday's FA Premier Reserve League South fixture against Tottenham will probably be a more low-key affair, with the squad all focusing on our crucial trip to Charlton.

"There are quite a few who want to play on Monday but they just can't because the game on Saturday is the all-important one for this club," Steve added. "Curbs wants everybody ready for that."

"It's a massive game, there's obviously history there. The managers have traded clubs, as it were, and with us losing to Watford and not getting anything against Aston Villa, it's a pivotal game.

"It's down to these boys in the dressing room. We have to go and get something. Come that Saturday this lot will be fighting tooth and nail to get a result."