Walsall manager Chris Hutchings has warned his players it is open season on starting spots after labelling their first-half showing at Mansfield “embarrassing.”

The Saddlers were taken apart by the Stags and were 3-0 down inside the first 33 minutes at Field Mill last night thanks to Mark Hughes’ own goal, Luke Jones’ header and Louis Briscoe’s effort.

Peter Till restored some battered pride to make it 3-1 a minute after the break.

Hutchings has now told his squad competition for starting berths for the League One opener at Brighton in 10 days is wide open.

The manager said: “I said to them it was quite embarrassing in the first half. I wondered if we were colour blind because I don’t think they realised what colour we were playing in.

“Shirts are up for grabs and I said that’s what they’re playing for.

“If they work hard through the week and come to places like Mansfield on a rainy Tuesday evening, you have to perform.

“It’s then you find out who has got character and those who don’t have character.”