Ex-Everton defender Michael Ball has hit out at the current Toffees squad, saying that they have embarrassed themselves with their recent performances.

The Merseyside club currently sit 17th in the Premier League following a 4-1 thrashing by Southampton on Sunday.

The Toffees sacked manager Ronald Koeman in October after a torrid start to the season, but have fared just as poorly under caretaker boss David Unsworth, who has won just two of his seven games in charge.

Everton are just two points above the relegation zone despite having spent almost £150m in the summer, and Ball has called for the players to show more pride in their performances.

"We've been live on television twice in the past week and both times the players have embarrassed themselves," the 38-year-old wrote in the Liverpool Echo.

"I keep banging on about it but players are simply not doing the job they are out there to do.

"You don't get anything given to you in the Premier League yet far too many players are happy passing the buck."

Everton face West Ham United at Goodison Park this evening.