These temperatures will test the finest Premier League stadiums and their under soil heating, never mind the League One grounds. At Bescot there is no under soil heating so its the over soil heating we are putting our faith in!!
In a unique idea Walsall have put in place. Fifteen metal dust bins on concrete stones have been placed on top of the playing surface. Inside the bins paper and wood will be burned bonfire stylee to create heat while holes cut into the so that the heat will spread. The bins will be switch position every hour at night so that the whole pitch can be covered. The club are also laying out the covers to protect the pitch.
So why are Walsall so desperate to get the game on? Well Roy Whalley was on Sky Sports News explaining that if the game was postponed it would cost the club around £20,000 in lost revenue taking into account the reduced mid-week gate and cancellation fees. This is not an amount that the club are ready to write off without a fight so every effort will be made to ensure the game will be played on Saturday.
The early preparation will count in our favour as despite the cold weather of late the pitch is not frozen. That is thanks to the groundsmans efforts and his unique innovation - The metal bin warmer!!