Wycombe Wanderers have signed Hull City midfielder James Harper on a one-month loan deal.

The 31-year-old former Arsenal, Cardiff, Reading and Sheffield United man has only made two appearances this season and none since October.

Wycombe Wanderers manager Gary Waddock told the club's official website: "He's played the majority of his career in the Premier League and Championship.

"You don't achieve that without being a very talented footballer."

Former Walsall striker James Constable has turned down the opportunity to speak to Swindon Town about a move from rivals Oxford United.

After Oxford rejected an offer from Paolo Di Canio's side last week, the U's allowed the 27-year-old to enter talks after receiving a "much-improved offer", but Constable declined to enter discussions and will stay with Oxford.

Since joining Oxford Constable has been leading scorer for the last three seasons at The Kassan Stadium and leads the way this season with nine goals,

Constable posted on his Twitter account last week: "I have never asked to speak to Swindon."

Oxford confirmed in a statement on the club website that Constable would remain their player and would be included in the squad for Saturday's game with Hereford.

Swindon manager Di Canio said of Constable:

"He's an important player for them obviously. In the last few years he is the one who has scored the goals. He has pace, he is tall, he can score with both feet and his physical presence is massive."

A second away game in a row for Walsall, a long trip up north to Carlisle United. The cumbrians, managed by Gregg Abbott, are sitting in 7th on the same points as Stevenage (in 6th) and are only outside the play-off spots due to a poor goal difference.

Carlisle have had some success in its 107 year history. They have won the English 3rd tier once in 1964/65. They have won the English 4th tier twice, in 1994/95 and 2005/06. They have dropped into the conference in recent times, getting promoted back into League 2 via the Play-Off’s in 2004/05. They are also the reigning Football League Trophy winners, beating Brentford in the final at Wembley.

Carlisle manager, Gregg Abbott, has been in charge since 2008. The former Bradford full back took over from Neil McDonald as caretaker manager. John Ward was appointed with Abbott returning to assistant manager. The pair lead Carlisle to the Play-Off finals, losing to Leeds on the day. After poor form, Ward was sacked and Abbott was once again put in caretaker charge. After a good November, Abbott was appointed as a full time manager. He has currently managed 180 games and has won 66 and losing just 49.

As you can imagine for a team in 7th, Carlisle have a strong team. Between the sticks is Adam Collin. The 27 year old started his career at Newcastle and has played for Workington before signing for Carlisle in early 2009. At the heart of the defence stands Peter Murphy, a center back who is only 5ft 11, a short height for a defender. However, having made over 370 appearances for the club. The 31 year old is not far of beating a record which has stood since 1979, 466 outings from United legend Alan Ross. Going forward, Lee Miller leads the attack. The tall and powerful front man, who signed from Middlesbrough in the summer has got 9 goals and 9 assists to his name so far this season. Aiding him in attack is Francois Zoko. The African signed in July 2010 and, since signing, has had a positive impact on the side. The pacey and skilful attacker will cause problems for the Walsall defence. A new signing for Carlisle, Jordan Cook, will be hoping to make an impact on the Carlisle side. The former Walsall loanee signed earlier in the week and will be facing his former side, the side whom he helped survive last season.

The Cumbrian side are in good form. They have won 3 and drawn 3 of the last 6 games. They have scored 15 goals, the second highest in the last 6 games but have also conceded 10. Walsall’s form is very mid-table form. We have won 1, drawn 4 and lost once in the last 6. However, we have only conceded 6, 3rd lowest in the league! However, with only scoring 6, it shows we struggle for goals but with Carlisle having a leaky defence, Walsall may be able to grab an away goal.

Carlisle have not lost since mid-November, a 1-0 loss to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. That’s a unbeaten run of 7 league games. After losing just 3 at home all season, Carlisle have a strong home record, picking up 21 points out of a possible 36.

Walsall, who sit just outside the relegation spot because of a decent (compared to our relegation rivals) goal difference. No win since boxing day, 4 games ago, means we have only picked up 3 points out of a possible 12 points. A decent away point to Brentford has put Walsall in high hopes going into the game.

Carlisle team is looking pretty strong. No new injury worries for Carlisle means a strong 11 will be fielded by Abbott, making this away game a tough ask for Walsall. Walsall have returned to full strength, former Carlisle winger Kevan hurst returned to training 2 weeks ago is ready to pull on the number 11 shirt for the 18th time this season.

Carlisle are in good form, Walsall are in OK form despite no wins in 4 games. For me, Carlisle will be expecting a win. Walsall are known to keep the better sides in the league at bay. A free scoring side against a side who don’t concede many. However, I feel Carlisle have a little to much for Walsall, a 2-1 win for Carlisle. However, if Walsall turn up and play football as we know we can, I can see us scraping a scrappy draw.

Aston Villa, Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton are all on high alert regarding the future of Scott Dann who could be the next high-profile defender to demand to leave Blackburn following Chris Samba's transfer request.

Former Walsall youngster Dann, 24, was given assurances when he signed from Birmingham City in August that he was being signed to play alongside Samba and not replace the 6ft 4in Congo centre half.

Blackburn are now ready to listen to offers for Samba, a move which has made ambitious Dann to seek urgent talks with manager Steve Kean.

Liverpool and Arsenalwere both linked with moves for Dann in the summer, while Aston Villa and Everton also have long standing interest.  Villa manager McLeish would like to take him to Villa Park in a swap-plus-cash deal with James Collins, but the Villa defender is said to be reluctant to join Blackburn, and there are questions whether Villa can raise the money for a cash only approach.

Griffin Park, the home of Brentford, is the next game for Walsall. The Bees, who were founded in 1889, are 8th in League 1, only 5 points from 6th spot. The west London team have spent most their history in League 1 and 2, but have spent some time in the top two divisions, having not done so since the early 90’s.

The Bees have some honours, winning the Second division in 1935/36. They won the Third division (League 1) in 1932/33 and in 1991/92. They have won the 4th division three times. 1962/63, 1998/99 and most recently (re-named League 2) in 2008/09.

Brentford appointed German, Uwe Rosler, in June 2011 and has since had a good start to his managerial career. Before signing for Brentford, Rosler said he aims to be a English Premier League manager, showing his ambition in the English game at the highest level. The former Manchester City, Southampton & West Brom forward has had previous managerial experience in Norway having managed Lillestrom SK, Viking FK and Molde FK.

The Brentford squad consists of some key players. Captain Kevin O’Connor has been at the club since 1999, making over 400 appearances for the club. The one club man had his testimonial match against Fulham in 2010, marking 10 years at the club. At the heart of the defence is Marcel Eger, a tall centre back who signed in the summer. In the middle of the park, Jonathan Douglas and Marcus Bean could feature. Both experienced players can pull the strings in the middle of the park. Upfront, a strong and pacey forward in Clayton McDonald will hold the main threat. The former Crewe man scored at the Banks’s Stadium earlier in the season. Brentford have 5 players on loan. Nial McGinn (Celtic), Dale Bennett (Watford), Jack Bidwell (Everton), Harlee Dean (Southampton) and recently signed Piero Mingoia (Watford) are all hoping to feature in the League 1 game.

Brentford leading goal scorer is number 29, Gary Alexander. The 32 year old had spells with Millwall, Leyton Orient, Swindon, Hull City and Exeter before joining Brentford in August 2010. Alexander always seems to have a good game for whoever he is with when he plays against The Saddlers.

Brentford have very similar form to Walsall. Both winning 1, drawing 4 and losing 1 in the last 6 games. However, they have scored 2 more than Walsall but have conceded two more. Their last game saw them draw 2-2 with Tranmere. Having not won in over a month, the last been at home to Hartlepool, The Bees will be hoping for a change of fortune on Saturday.

Saturday’s game will go down in history for Walsall and the number 1, Jimmy Walker. Wacka is set to make his 530th appearance for Walsall, breaking Colin Harrisons record which has stood since 1981. The starting line up could be the same as Saturday’s line up against Bournemouth. However, 4-5-1 could be played as Deano has set this formation up for games like this in the past. This means Nicholls could drop onto the wing and Macken could lead the line on his own. With Halliday returning to ‘Boro on Monday, there is an extra spot on the bench. I personally feel this needs to be taken by a defender, having not had a defender on the bench for the last few games.

Claude Gnakpa will be hoping for his first start since the Bury game in mid-November. Having made some decent substitute appearances recently, the big Frenchman will be hoping for a start.

As both teams have been drawing a lot recently, neither side seem to know how to win but neither side have lost many in recent times, I feel this game will be a draw. For me, a 1-1 draw is on the cards, however here’s hoping for a Saddlers win!

Walsall Web Fans looks back at the man who held the Walsall FC appearance record for 30 years - local lad Colin Harrison.

2012’s first home game of the season is against Bournemouth, a team who are currently on the up. Bournemouth, nicknamed ‘The Cherries’ due to their kit until 1971, have been around since 1899 and have spent the most of their history in the bottom 2 divisions. Bournemouth are known for producing good your forwards, Sam Vokes and Brett Pittman to name two. Previous managers also include Tony Pulis, Eddie Howe, Sean O’Driscoll (his assistant been Richard O’Kelly) possible future England manager, Harry Redknapp.

Former Walsall loanee David Davis has told Inverness manager Terry Butcher he does not want to extend his loan deal in Scotland.

The midfielder who also enjoyed a loan spell at Shrewsbury last season, in addition to his spell at Bescot will now return to parent club Wolves to seek other options.

Saturday's Scottish Cup tie with Dunfermline will be the Davis's last game for Inverness, if selected.

So, it was a year on Wednesday 4th January since Walsall Football Club appointed former captain and youth team manager, Dean Smith, as caretaker manager. ‘Deano’ took over the reigns following Chris Hutchings and Martin O’Connors sacking due to a poor season, leaving us at the foot of the League 1 table, 9 points from safety with a squad with no motivation, no effort and no love for the club.

The job in hand for Dean Smith seemed near impossible, many Walsall fans, me being one, had given up any hope on League 1 football during the 2011/2012 season. We all had our maps out, planning our routes to Accrington Stanley, Burton and Barnet. When taking over, little did Walsall fans know what was going to come up during the next 5 months, a rollercoaster ride which we would not forget.

Dean Smith’s first game in charge took us to fellow strugglers, Tranmere. A entertaining 3-3 draw, Andy Butler with a added time goal, sealing a point for the new man. Another away point to Bristol Rovers, a team to be relegated at the end of the season, gave Dean Smith two away points in his first games, two points to prove to be very important. After a 4-2 loss at home to Huddersfield, Walsall appointed Dean Smith in charge until the end of the season, despite an excess of 40 job applicants. By the end of January, Walsall had taken just 6 points, but the football had improved and signs of effort were shining through. January ended with a 6-1 drumming of Bristol, a team we had drew to earlier in the month. This result shown the fans what the team were capable of. February saw us lose just twice in 6 games, them been to top teams in the division. We took points from fellow strugglers, including Dagenham & Notts County. By now, Walsall had clawed there way up the table, to the brink of safety. The 10 point deduction of Plymouth giving Walsall the first bit of luck we had seen all season.

We entered March, knowing a good month could see us climb out the relegation zone. We started of to promotion chasing Southampton. A solid 1-0 win Vs The Saints, saw Walsall climb into 20th position. The signing of Emanual Ledesma during the middle of March brought some much needed flair, all the way from South America. On the 19th March, Ledesma shown his class. Brought on just after half time with Walsall 2 goals behind.  Ledesma got himself 3 assists and a goal. The match finished 5-2, Ledesma getting man on the match which without a shadow of a doubt was deserved.

Under Smith, in less than 3 months, Smith had gained 22 points, 5 more than Chris Hutchings got in 5 months. Walsall fans believed the great escape was on, attendances were increasing, the atmosphere was getting better, the football had improved, effort and passion was shown and most importantly, we were getting results! The Great Escape was on. Dean Smith was earning himself respect despite the concerns of his appointment. ‘Ginger Mourinho’ was the name slowly been given to him by the Walsall faithful.

Despite the resent results, April looked a difficult month. Home games against league leaders Brighton, promotion chasers Sheffield Wednesday & Charlton made up half the month, also facing Brentford, Oldham and Plymouth, all 3 being awkward customers. A difficult month it was, loosing to Plymouth and Brighton. A point Vs Sheffield Wednesday and a win against Brentford. We then travelled to Oldham, a game Walsall fans thought could, just could, make the impossible possible. Taking the lead in 60th minute seen us clear of the relegation zone with just 2 games to go, but a late Oldham goal pushed us right back into the battle. The next two games been Charlton and Southampton, survival seemed as far away as it did in January. However, Walsall turned it around. A 2-0 home win saw us needed to equal Dagenham’s result to stay up. We did so on the final day of the season, a colourful St Mary’s saw all 30,000 fans celebrating as one, Southampton winning promotion, Walsall surviving. The 3000 WFC fans went wild, I still cant believe we survived.

Dean Smith had done the impossible.

Deano was then given a 2 year deal in the summer of 2011. The transfer window saw a big change, key players left, including Julian Gray, Matt Richards and Manny Ledesma. Summer signings included Mat Sadler, Claude Gnakpa, Adam Chambers, Ryan Jarvis, David Grof and Lee Beevers, among others. On the face of it, these signings were very much average, are they going to be proven to be ‘average’ or better or worse? Time would tell.

2 weeks in Scotland saw us offer trials to Anton Peterlin and David Grof. Both impressed and were signed. After a usual pre-season, we started against Leyton Orient. A 1-0 home win got the ball rolling. A brave away loss to Sheffield United saw a drop in confidence, could Deano give the team confidence like he did last season? Again, time will tell. By the end of August, we sat in a healthy 10th place. September proved to be a very difficult month. All teams we played were mid-table, Brentford being the only real top 10 team. Just 1 point in 15 made this Dean Smith’s worst month in charge. Questions were starting to be asked about the team & the new signings. Most saying they were not up to the quality of Gray, Richards and Ledesma. Gray and Richards added 18 assists to the team as well as 16 goals. The Ledesma flair was missing. October seen just one win at home to Preston, dropping out of the JPT to Rochdale and loosing 3 games in quick succession. November looked to be a hard month. We faced teams in the top half, Huddersfield who had not lost in 41 games, Stevenage, the League 1 surprise package. Exeter were to be played twice and Bury at home in the middle of the month. This month also saw some of the worst facial hair I have ever seen, it was like watching English football of the 1970’s & 1980’s! This would not be missed come December. Only one win came in November and that was in the FA Cup. However, we only suffered one loss, at the hands of Bury, a poor 4-2 loss saw boo’s ring around The Banks’s Stadium. No league win in 6 games made Walsall slip towards the relegation spots. November also saw the appointment of former forward, Richard O’Kelly. The former Doncaster assistant manager was brought in by Deano to give him a right hand man and a more attacking minded coach.

December saw us play 7 games, twice against Dagenham in the FA Cup, a team out for revenge after their final game of the season relegation. After a draw at The Daggers, we slumped to a penalty shoot loss on a cold Tuesday night in a near-empty Banks’s stadium. Draws to Charlton, Chesterfield and Rochdale and a win at home to Sheffield Wednesday on boxing day saw us go, over 90 minutes of football, unbeaten during December. Infact, over 90 minutes of football, we had not lost since the middle of November. However, we had only one 3 games in 18 games. This dates back to the beginning of October. By now, some Walsall fans were calling for Dean Smith’s head, despite the heroics he done last season. Walsall were out the relegation zone by New Year, something of an achievement considering the poor win record.

As we entered 2012, we travelled to Gigg Lane, the home of Bury.Our first loss in just over a month saw Walsall slip closer to the relegation zone. This would be the final game in a long year as manager for Dean Smith. The year ended with Deano being nominated for manager of the month for December, exactly one year after taking charge of the club.

Now for some numbers, Dean Smith has been in charge for 62 games, winning 16, losing 32 and drawing 16. Under Smith, Walsall have scored just 68 goals, conceding 78. So, over 62 games, Dean has managed to get us 72 points. A win percentage of just 25% is poor, its worse than Chris Hutchings (30%).

As mentioned before, some Walsall fans have called for Dean Smiths head. All fans are entitled to an opinion on this. Some argue that he deserves a year after his heroics last season while others think, despite being a nice bloke, Deano has not lived up to the expectation and has, at times, talked himself into criticism. For example claiming we are going to fight for promotion and labelling the team as ‘unbeatable’. This has not helped his cause one bit.

The year has been very much up & down for Dean Smith and Walsall FC. The Great Escape of the 2010/2011 season to the poor 2011/2012 season to date.

No matter what people say about Dean Smith now, I feel he deserves a lot of respect for what he done to the club last term. Can he repeat the heroics? Time will tell…