Former Walsall defender Dean Smith has taken up his first coaching role.

Deano has become the Leyton Orient Youth Team Coach. Smith featured against the Saddlers in the early season clash against Port Vale, and got a warm welcome from the Walsall crowd.

Born in West Bromwhich, Smith went on to play well over 600 games for the likes of Hereford, Orient, Sheffield Wednesday and Port Vale.

Ian Roper’s recovery from his injury, which has already kept him out of the game for a month, has received a set back.

The popular centre back was due to play for the reserves in last night’s Birmingham Senior Cup defeat at Rushall, but he broke down in training.

There has been no word from the club on the prognosis, which leaves Paul Merson very short of defensive cover.

Rushall acheived a deserved 3 - 2 win in the cup tie.

Icelandic defender Atli Thorarinsson is Walsall’s latest foreign trialist, as Paul Merson looks to strengthen his defensive resources.

Thorarinsson is a free agent, having previously played for Swedish club Orgryte Goteborg and Icelandic side KA Akureyri .

He has recently had a trial with Chesterfield and is, apparantly, 1.84 metres tall, weighs 83 kilos (or 6′ 0″ and 13 stone 10lbs) and turns 25 next week.

While ex Saddler Paul Ritchie is now plying his trade north of the border with Dundee United, he has been joined in the city by a former Walsall target.

Ex Chelsea youngster Joel Kitamirike, who had been on trial with the Saddlers late last year, had joined Mansfield Town on a non contract basis, but has now been snapped up by Premiership outfit Dundee.

Walsall fans may be pleased to hear that West Ham Keeper Jim Walker has been backed by Hammers boss Alan Pardew - Despite a shocking League debut against the Wolves.

Jim let in 4, 2 of which were clearly his fault. Pardew has told the player that his first team place is safe for time being. The Hammers boss claims there is little choose from between him and former number 1 Steven Bywater.

It appears that our efforts to sign Toni Nhleko could well fail. His move to the Saddlers is still wrapped up in miles of red tape.

Merse has told the Express and Star that we need more goals, and that he is well aware he may have to look elsewhere to bring in more firepower.

Solicitors for both parties are said to be working hard to push the deal through. We will keep you up-to-date with how it goes.

Refreshed after a six day rest, Walsall romped to a comfortable 3-0 victory at home to Chesterfield today.

The first 10 minutes were rather bland, but that all changed with a Darren Wrack thunderbolt after 13 minutes. He struck a sweet volley past the hapless Chesterfield keeper from the edge of the area.

Chesterfield looked like they could cause us problems but were generally limited to long-range efforts. The Saddlers doubled their lead midway though the second half. This time it was Leitao who got on the score sheet, connecting with what seemed to be an over hit Paul Merson cross at the back post. Chesterfield changed their shape just after the second goal and this opened up creating an abundance of chances for both sides

Joe Murphy was in inspired form throughout the second half and helped keep the 3-pronged Chesterfield attack at bay. Matty Fryatt, Jorge Leitao and Marvin Robinson all went on to have 1-on-1 chances, but failed to increase the Walsall advantage.

Paul Merson was booed for being awarded the sponsors man-of-match, but then managed to have his say by providing Matty Fryatt with an assist for our 3rd goal. Many fans seemed to think that Murphy, Matt Fryatt, Mark Wright, Mark Kinsella, Michael Standing and Neil Emblen were more worthy winners, but the truth of the matter is that any one of the starting eleven could have walked off with today’s award.

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Fans may be interested to know that former Walasll hero James Walker was awarded his first league start by Alan Pardew.

It wasn’t such a great afternoon for Jim , West Ham lost 4-2. Just how many Jim could have dealt remains to be seen. Has Jimmy blown his big chance? He has waited all season to dislodge Steve Bywater then lets in 4 at the Molinuex of all places. Jimmy must think that there is some kind of hoo-doo that hangs over his head when he plays the Wolves.

Walsall today knocked back an approach from Carlisle for midfielder Kris Taylor. The 21 year old former Man Utd player is currently out on loan at Burton Albion - where he has netted three goals in four games - and will have his loan there extended. However, Carlisle manager Paul Simpson - a former Saddler - wants Taylor on a permanent deal. Carlisle are currently flying high in the Conference thanks mainly to the goals of another former Saddler - Karl Hawley.

Meanwhile, Neil Emblen sat out training today with an achilles injury leaving Walsall’s threadbare defence..even more threadbare.

And finally, Herivelto’s second Bescot departure has been confirmed just a month after his return. His contract has been terminated and he has returned home to Brazil due to family problems.

The Football League today published a report detailing how much each club had spent on agents fees for the second half of 2004. It is difficult to draw too many conclusions about Walsall FC’s dealings from the data - except to say the amount our club have spent has gone down from the first six months of the year.

Here are the figures for Walsall:
14 New Registrations / Transfers
2 Updated Contract
5 Cancelled Contract
4 Loans
25 Total Transactions
2,500 Total Committed to Agents Jul - Dec 2004
23,372 Total Committed to Agents Jan - June 2004

The main findings of the report overall seem to centre around the fact Leeds United - despite all that has gone on there in recent years - still hasnt got the message, as they top the spenders list with over 1.5 million going into the back pocket of agents.