Theo Walcott shares new Everton points deduction prediction in relegation verdict
Former Everton forward Theo Walcott has predicted that his former side will “just about have enough” to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Everton sit 16th in the league standings after their latest result – a 1-1 draw with Newcastle United at St James’ Park – just two places and four points clear of the bottom three, though they have a game in hand on the three teams below them.
And Walcott feels that, even with the prospect of a second points deduction looming, the Toffees will scrape their way to top-flight survival.
He told BBC Sport: “I think they are bracing themselves [for a points deduction] and I think as well that’s probably hindering performances.
“I think they’re really distracted and as players, you can’t be.
“I think it was a big point at Newcastle, but I am wary that, with the new stadium as well, they need to be in the Premier League and it’s going to be quite sad to see if they do go down.
“But I do feel that they will just about have enough, even if they get a points deduction.
“I just feel like with the experience they’ve got, they’ve got a lot of experience in that dressing room still and they’ve been in these relegation battles for years, so they should be ready for it again.”
Everton must rely on experienced heads to retain Premier League status
Everton’s squad does indeed – as Walcott asserted – boast plenty of experience in its ranks.
Jordan Pickford, James Tarkowski, Ashley Young, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure are a quintet of first-team regulars over the age of 30 with more than their fair share of Premier League seasons between them.
Those five not only boast a wealth of experience in the division, but also have faced the rigours of a relegation scrap before and know what it takes to stay up when mired in the lower half of the table.
It is not only the Toffees’ wise old heads who can offer experience, however. Dwight McNeil, Jack Harrison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are players in their prime who have played at this level for several years and the former two in particular know what it means to suffer the ignominy of relegation.
Sean Dyche will need his players to draw on all their reserves and produce a strong run of form to end the season if Everton are to maintain their unbroken Premier League status.
In other Everton news, a former Toffees defender has suggested Dyche could be relieved of his duties if performances do not improve.
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