Newcastle United fans displayed an Alexander Isak tifo in tribute to the Swedish striker before the club's match against West Ham at St James' Park.
Since the PIF took over the club, pre-match displays have become the norm at St James' Park. The brainchild of the Wor Flags group, this fan-led initiative has put on some iconic displays at the stadium in recent years.
For this match, was the turn of striker Isak, who has become a hero on Tyneside since his record-breaking transfer from La Liga. With talk of contract talk having stalled and interest in his signature from Chelsea and Arsenal, fans were keen to share their love for the Swede.
‘Alexander the Great'
Alexander Isak gets the @worflags treatment 🇸🇪 #nufc #NEWWHU pic.twitter.com/JuBizEmytN
— Ciaran Kelly (@CiaranKelly__) November 25, 2024
St James' Park tribute with Isak tifo
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It's a touching tribute to Isak, who has become a popular figure at Newcastle United. The display was inspired in part by IKEA and its Swedish flag colour scheme. It took place in the Leazes End, the stand opposite the iconic Gallowgate End. However, it wasn't the only display on the night; the Gallowgate end also received a display, which is done every matchday.
It's not the first Newcastle fans have dedicated a tifo display to a player. The group has done displays this season for Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali.
Wor Flags also put on a “local lads” display, which celebrated the 11 first-team squad players who are either from the area or supported the club.
Picture by Imago
Newcastle fans react to Isak tifo
Newcastle fans took to social media to praise the latest Wor Flags display. “Wor Flags have done something special tonight,” said one fan, a sentiment echoed across Bluesky and X by fans claiming the display was “amazing,” “impressive,” and “I'm buzzing.”
It's safe to say that people were big fans of the display.
Why have fans done an Isak display
Outside the obvious fact that Newcastle fans love a good striker, there is perhaps a deeper meaning behind the display. Isak, who has three years left on his current deal, continues to attract interest from rival Premier League clubs.
With January just over a month away, that interest is starting to heat up, with Arsenal and Chelsea both said to be majorly interested in the striker.
However, Isak implied that he had no plans to leave the club. He said before a recent Sweden game, “I am commenting on my situation in Newcastle, and I have never had any problem there. I am fully focused on my task there and that we will have a fantastic season. There are still great opportunities for that. I have no thoughts about anything else.”
While a nice display is unlikely to sway a professional footballer, it will help a player understand the love the fans have.
After its relegation from the Premier League, Newcastle fans were key to keeping Rafa Benitez at the club. Rafa had this to say about it in an interview in 2016: “They [his daughters] were telling me, ‘Listen, the fans love you. You have to stay. You have to stay for them. You have to win for them.”
Fan power is a powerful tool, and it's a major boon for the club because of its devoted fanbase.