If the forecasts are correct today could see the temperature sizzle through the 30◦C mark at around 3pm, just as the players set themselves to kick off when they face Swindon Town here at Brunton Park.
But, yet again, it’s something manager Paul Simpson insists will be taken for what it is – just another factor to be dealt with.
“The truth is there’s not a lot you can do,” he said. “Players know how to stay hydrated. We have this thing that if you’re thirsty it’s too late, you’re already dehydrated.
“You’ve got to start drinking early. They’ll be getting their fluids on board, making sure they’re drinking.
“We’ve had an email sent today from the Football League to say because of the conditions, the referee will discuss the possibility of a drinks break when we do the teamsheets.
“If it is as hot as that I imagine we’ll be having a drinks break. But the players trained through pre-season when it’s been flipping hot, they’ve had some games when it’s been hot too.
“The other night was ridiculous. As a 56-year-old bloke I had to resort to wearing shorts again, which is not pleasant for the supporters to see that. It’s hot and we have to just get on with it.
“People talk about should we change the training time, well, we can’t change the kick-off time. It’s hot and we have to get on with it. We’ll be able to cope with it, won’t be an issue, we’ll be fine and hopefully able to come through.”
“With stuff like this you can overthink things and try to be a bit too clever about it,” he added. “We have to play our way. I think if we play at a high intensity the opposition are going to have try to play at high intensity as well, and hopefully we’re going to be better at it.
“If, after 60 minutes or whatever, our players are breathing out of their backsides because it’s too hot or they’ve ran out of steam, we’ve got five lads on the bench who can come on and we can freshen it up.
“Also you then have to have a bit of knowledge of game management. If you’re thinking ok, I’m breathing a bit heavy, or it’s really hot, and I need to be a bit more sensible with my running, and with the football, maybe keep it and dictate play a bit differently.
“It’s knowledge of football that will get them through it. Hopefully we’ve got more players with the knowledge than Swindon do.
“Like I say, it was hot on Tuesday, it was boiling hot and humid up in Largs, and we’ve had some very hot days through pre-season.
“We can’t change it, so there’s no point in worrying about it. We’re not going to have what they’ve got in Qatar with air-conditioned stadiums, Brunton Park hasn’t had that installed yet, so we have to deal with it.
“The players will be fine. I always think it’s better to play football in the sun than it is in the sleet, rain and gale force winds we’ll see in the winter. If the players go and perform it’ll be a brilliant afternoon whatever the weather.”
