Defiant Jon Walters reacts to second Everton points deduction threat with message at Tony Bellew

In response to the announcement that Everton will lose further points in the event that the takeover fails, Jon Walters stated that the team would then just be the first to drop 19 points and remain in the top flight.

The veteran former Stoke City forward took to Twitter on December 12th, following news that 777 Partners would not be granted permission to become the club’s owners this month, as reported by Matt Hughes of the Daily Mail.

Since the Americans are reportedly unwilling to keep funding the team with monthly contributions after January, there have reportedly been concerns raised about the possibility of administration.

Despite this, Walters was unflappable and posted a message to fellow Toffees supporter Tony Bellew, despite the additional nine points that would be deducted in such a scenario.

Walters wrote over a clip of the ex-boxer being told Everton had beaten Chelsea on his exit from I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here: “You can take another 9 points off us and we will still stay up.

“Has any club ever stayed up on minus 19 points?

Flying

Even if it’s difficult to think after two years where every point felt like a battle, Everton could certainly absorb the blow of a second-place deduction and still win.

Though Sean Dyche may entertain the idea in the back of his mind until the takeover scenario is resolved, it is definitely not a challenge he will want to have thrust upon him.

Alternatives are reportedly ready for the chance to step in if 777 are denied approval, but they will need to act quickly since the Americans are expected to stop making payments on loans estimated to be worth £20 million a month in a matter of weeks.

Until Farhad Moshiri sells, the administrative threat will always be present. However, given that MSP Sports Capital’s investment fell through after weeks of anticipation, it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise if this complete takeover didn’t occur.

It appears that the existing majority ownership will not be able to provide the funding needed for Goodison Park’s ongoing operations, thus it is hard to state that administration and the additional nine points are off the table.

Contradictory briefings keep surfacing, though, and alternate reports also indicate that the takeover is actually happening soon, so it might all end up being a moot issue.

In the last three games, Dyche has led Everton to victories over Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, and Chelsea without giving up a goal. This has allowed Everton to regain 90% of the previous penalty and move out of the bottom three once more.

In current form, it feels like the team could overcome most obstacles. Without the deduction, the Toffees would be in 10th place and seriously contending for European spots. All that can be hoped for is that they won’t have to.

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