Ex-Everton defender Michael Ball has criticised Rafael Benitez for his "small club" comments aimed at the Toffees during his time as Liverpool manager.

Benitez, who is set to be in the Goodison Park dugout this upcoming season, said the above back in 2007 following a Merseyside derby that ended 0-0, comments that he has since clarified.

For Ball, though, that is not going to wash, with the former full-back feeling that the Spaniard should have corrected himself closer to the time.

On those comments, the ex-Everton star told FFC in an exclusive interview:

"He's already spoken about the lost in translation about the small club, but that's not going to wash. He could have corrected himself at the time.

"He meant a small team that was struggling who would sit back, [but] that doesn't wash."

It certainly does not look great for Benitez and you can understand why Everton supporters are so against having him anywhere near the Goodison Park technical area.

It is really hard to see how the former Liverpool and Chelsea boss can repair the damage, especially if he gets off to a slow start in the Premier League and results are poor. A controversial appointment to say the least.