Alexander Isak received royal treatment from the Newcastle United faithful at St. James Park leading up to their Premier League clash against West Ham United. The evening turned out to a distasteful one for the Magpies as they suffered a 2-0 loss, but a large amount of fans seemed more focus on attracting Isak’s attention than what the result would be.
As the two sets of players headed onto the pitch, the Newcastle United fans debuted two different Tifos to glitter up the St. James Park stand. A tifo is a visual choreography that is often created by fans to colorize section of their stands or intimidate opposition players.
In this case, the tifos displayed had nothing threatening about them and were simply the fans’ showing their love for Isak. The Newcastle United fan group ‘Wor Flags’, who are a fan-funded flag creating brand for the club, designed two innovative Tifos in homage of Isak.
An entire section of the stadium behind one of the goalposts were decorated with blue and yellow flags, that were synchronized together perfectly to create the perfect message for the striker. The thousands of fans who were seated in that section were given a flag each to wave in the air when the players were coming onto the pitch.
The mixture of blue and yellow flags helped to create a beautiful word of ‘Isak’ in yellow, with a blue backdrop. This is a homage to the Swedish national flag, which also has the same color. But this was not the only Tifo that was brandished by the supporters on the night.
On the opposite side of the field behind another of the goalposts, some other fans lifted up a huge banner showing Isak’s face with a black wolf beneath him. Just under that banner, there were two other banners also fitted in that read ‘Alexander The Great’. This is a homage comparing Isak to the iconic King of Macedonia.
Not only this, but some fans even managed to bring in the national flag of Sweden and attach it close to this banner. On another side, the flag of Eritrea was also attached because Isak’s parents are originally from that country and he has links to the African nation as well.
It isn’t usual for players to get glittering Tifos like these, as fans normally reserve them for a group of players, something pop-culture related or stuff that can intimidate the opponents. That is why this royal treatment of Isak has been particularly attention-catching and many asking the reason for why Isak is getting so much love.
Granted, the Swedish striker has been one of Newcastle United’s best players this season and scored in his last three straight Premier League matches before the West Ham loss. But the reason why so many fans united to garnish him with these innovative banners is to try and persuade him to pledge his future to Newcastle United.
The Swedish forward is attracting a lot of transfer attention from different clubs. Arsenal are reportedly eager to sign him in 2025. Even PSG have been linked to having an interest in him. That has made the Magpies’ faithful fearful that they might end up losing Isak if he isn’t felt ‘loved enough’ at St. James Park.
The ‘banner love’ treatment actually worked for Newcastle United fans when it came to Anthony Gordon. The Wor Flags helped create a gigantic ‘Gordon 10’ banner that was displayed at St. James Park before their 1-1 draw against Manchester City on 28 September (2024). Soon after that, the winger ended up signing a new long-term contract.
The Newcastle United fans are trying their luck for a second time with Isak and hope their innovative hard-work will compel him to sign a contract extension. Only, there is no viable proof that Isak wants to stay at the club for many years to come. Isak has not yet publicly shown any desire to sign a new long-term deal with the Magpies.
He isn’t really doing much to squash all the rumours hinting at an exit from St. James Park next year. That is why the Newcastle United fans are being criticized for being so over-the-top in showing love for a player who might actual end up leaving in a year or so.