Falkirk face Championship leaders Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday, aiming to complete an Edinburgh double.
Peter Houston’s side won 1-0 at Easter Road last weekend and their hectic and challenging start to the season sees them back in the capital.
Director of Football Alex Smith said: “It has been a tough run of games at a stage of the season when you are playing Saturday-midweek-Saturday. We had East Stirling and then Montrose away in the cups and then started the Championship with a really tough away fixture at Cowdenbeath.
“We then had Rangers at home and Hibs away in the league before facing Hearts this weekend. Throw in a derby cup tie against Dunfermline and then extra time and penalties against Cowdenbeath on Tuesday night and you can see why we are handling the players with extreme care at the moment.
“The fixture computer has not been kind to us. We have the three teams tipped to challenge for the title on top of each other but thankfully it does not work that way over the other three cycles of games.
“Don’t get me wrong, these are great games for the club and the players. Having so many cup ties shows we must be getting through rounds and facing the big boys in the league is really exciting for the players.
“Players love the build-up and anticipation for games like we are having just now. It is just that we will need to allow them to draw breath at some stage.
“The players are playing at big stadiums in front of big crowds and our young players are learning all the time. We secured a terrific result at Easter Road and that win sent out a strong message about our intentions.
“We want to be in the chase for the Championship and to do that we have to take points from teams that also have the same aim. We also need to take points from teams who perhaps have different ambitions and in those games our concentration levels have to be at the same high standard they were at Easter Road.
“We have to deliver at Tynecastle or Recreation Park or Central Park. These are all grounds with very different environments and the players have to handle that. They have to handle being underdogs, as we are in this run of games, and then handle being favourites, which we will probably be in others.
“As well as game expectations, you have to also be able to handle a change in issues such as facilities and atmosphere. The Championship is a real mixture of grounds between huge stadiums and more modest operations.
“Some dressing rooms have not changed over the years to match the move from 11 players and a couple of subs, along with a manager and an assistant, to coping with a squad of 20 and many more backroom staff.
“You have a big playing surface at Ibrox and a tight playing surface at Cowdenbeath and to do anything in the league you have to handle all these changes.”
As for this weekend’s fixture Smith said: “Tynecastle is one of the most atmospheric grounds around so it should be a fantastic game.
“It is a mixture of the old and new, with the Main Stand being traditional and representing the longevity of the club whereas the three new stands provide a great atmosphere with the fans really close to the pitch. We will need to handle that as well as getting the better of a good team to get points on board.”
Craig Stewart
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