Resident Villa loudmouth mocks Wor Flags' latest efforts with astonishingly bad take

For Newcastle supporters, it often feels like a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenario when it comes to following the club.

In an age where Manchester City's ground is mocked as the 'Emptyhad' and Roy Keane described Manchester United's modern match-day following as the 'prawn sandwich brigade', surely it must be a refreshing change to see supporters make a big effort to support their team and put on a pre-match celebration worthy of a cup final?

Apparently not.

The Toon Army is perennially mocked by rival supporters as a fanbase that makes 'a lot of noise for a team that doesn't win anything.' But surely, that just makes the support for Newcastle United even more impressive considering the fans neither expect nor experience silverware while supporting their club?

Again... apparently not.

Sure... Monday night's sobering defeat to West Ham was a performance as forgettable as it was embarrassing. But you certainly can't accuse the fans of not doing their bit. There was resounding chants of support from the home following until the final whistle... and of course, the effort by Wor Flags before the game was nothing short of breath-taking.

In an era where Premier League match-day atmospheres are criticised more than ever, Wor Flags is a refreshing source of inspiration that other fanbases could do with emulating...

Star striker Alexander Isak's name was emblazoned in the iconic yellow and blue of his home nation Sweden, while there was also a nod to the land of his family with the Eritrean flag hoisted high by fans as well. And of course, the online meme sensation of Isak walking his dog was also captured with a likeness of the forward above a trio of intimidating hounds. The attention to detail was honestly impeccable, and reminiscent of the Easter eggs littered throughout the launch video for the club's away kit this season.

But of course, in football (particularly in England) we aren't allowed nice things. Not at least, without egotistical ex-footballers masquerading as 'pundits' sticking their oars in and opening their gobs.

...which brings us nicely onto Gabby Agbonlahor. The former Villa striker has established such a derisive reputation due to his incredibly bad football takes, provocative comments and cringeworthy bias towards his boyhood club, and in an attempt to maintain Villa's weird rivalry with Newcastle, he lit the touchpaper again today while on Talksport.

Agbonlahor described Wor Flags' efforts as 'A Bit Too Much'...

In Agbonlahor's afternoon slot on Talksport Drive, he analysed the post-mortem of Newcastle's defeat to West Ham with Andy Goldstein, and he had a rather scathing response to the flag display before kickoff...

"They done it a few weeks ago for Gordon as well because of talk about a new contract. They know that Isak will wanna move to a bigger club. They know that Isak does not want to be out of Europe, he wants to be playing Champions League. He's got the potential. I think he suits Arsenal - the way they play.

"I don't (like the flag display). Because I'm looking at that and I'm saying 'has he signed a new contract?... has something happened?' - what about the other players, though? If you're (Bruno) Guimaraes, if you're other players in that team... what are you saying?

"Newcastle fans have done it because they're trying to show so much appreciation and love that he doesn't leave. I wouldn't like it (if it was done to me), I would be like 'what are you after?'

"I get it because they love him but would Manchester United do that? Would Aston Villa do that? Aston Villa have done it for Martinez after he won the World Cup. But Isak's probably coming out of it and he had his worst game I've seen from him in a Newcastle shirt last night. I think it was a bit too much. Maybe Newcastle fans need to chill. What's next? Red carpet for him outside the stadium when he walks out? Nonsense."

Articulate as ever from Mr Agbonlahor, there. But picking apart the mispronunciations and the random tangents; it's an interesting show of hypocrisy from the former Villa striker. So the Brummies are allowed to brown-nose Emi Martinez for achievements he accomplished with his nation, not his club? But Newcastle can't display a show of affection for a player that has a strike rate better than one-in-two in Newcastle colours?

Isak has a contract with Newcastle until 2028...

Of course, Monday night's impressive display had the added benefit of showing Isak how adored he is at St James' Park, but I think Agbonlahor's comments are laced far too much with cynicism. Isak has over three years left on his contract; hardly a player with one foot out the door already, is it?

Agbonlahor's comments also sting of someone ignorant to the general match day experience at Newcastle. Anthony Gordon, Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali have all recently been honoured with similar individual flag demonstrations, and there was also the recent mural of all the homegrown talent in the Newcastle squad that included Sean Longstaff, Lewis Miley, Elliot Anderson and others. Every member of this squad is appreciated and has been suitably acknowledged through the flag displays... not just the shiny record signing who hasn't signed a new deal yet.

The irony of this criticism coming from a Villa fan isn't lost on us...

I can't say the aforementioned Emi Martinez banner lived long in the memory for neutrals. In fact, a quick search on Google Images brings up just two measly images of the message to the shot-stopper.

The banner parade that Villa are synonymous with in the Premier League era (especially with Newcastle fans) was the infamous 'SOB ON THE TYNE' mural where Brummies clubbed together to graffiti their bedsheets with pops at Kevin Keegan, Ant and Dec, and more... a much more bemusing effort than a fanbase celebrating one of their own players.

Perhaps Mr Agbonlahor should take an introspective look at his own club's tinpot behaviour in recent years before he starts scoffing at the efforts of a fanbase who celebrate their team no matter what... regardless of a barren trophy cabinet.

If Alexander Isak leaves, it'll either be in two-to-three years near the end of his deal with several more goals in a Newcastle shirt... or for a truly mind-blowing fee that Newcastle simply can't refuse. But regardless of if or when he leaves, one thing is for certain... that Wor Flags display will be a moment he'll savour for the rest of his life.

Personally I think Agbonlahor has more pressing things to criticise... such as the form of his beloved Villa. Is that no win in six now for that lot?