Isak's Newcastle United stance is not like the 'lover's tiff' of Kevin Keegan's 1990s fallouts
Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak
Newcastle United's Alexander Isak(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
It was Kevin Keegan who uttered what became a famous phrase upon threatening to walk out on Newcastle United before going on to build one of the greatest teams in history, The Entertainers, and cement his lasting legacy.
As his car fumes disappeared over the horizon he proclaimed: 'It's not like it said in the brochure'. In other words United had broken promises and he was having none of it.
Now Alexander Isak has pinched the Keegan phrase book and used it to his advantage. . . except that there is no certainty it will work this time. Lasting bitterness resides in the house of St James' Park and amongst the thousands of worshippers who pour within on match days. With KK it was more of a lover's tiff.
Kevin was an impulsive man of passion who wore his heart on his sleeve. He was always likely to knee jerk and disappear only to be soothed by the reassuring words of first Terry McDermott, his trusted lieutenant, and then Sir John Hall on his return to the fold. It happened many times.
Isak's case is very different. He has brooded, felt deep lasting injustice with a belief that he was badly done to, and views his actions as set in cement. This is a different man and a different set of circumstances. Just the same words used by the defence. Where Keegan was loved despite his occasional wobbler, Isak has become despised, more so after taking to social media.
Oh that he could come back and become a hero like King Kev. However Keegan's 'stance' over an argument usually lasted 24 hours at most whereas Isak's has lasted the summer with no sign that autumn will see resentment drop away like falling leaves.
This is a stand-off with trenches dug, pop guns at the ready, and aim unerring. Isak says he had been let down, United in a quickly released statement insisted that no such promises were ever made by any member of staff.
However for me nothing has changed apart from Isak has at last come out and confirmed his stubborn stance in his own words to sweep away any thoughts among the romantic or naive that in fact the player had not really been on strike.
There is always two sides to any story of course but then we all knew what Isak's beef was over a contract improvement that never arrived and United were far too complacent in handling it.
They viewed the three years left on his contract as a comfort blanket - he could do nothing - whereas when it was cast aside by the player what was revealed was a bed of nails. An unhappy employee is a useless one.
ll right, Isak wants out because in his eyes a big time suitor is offering alternative employment but as I said in my column yesterday there is a way of doing things and a way of losing public support and Isak has chosen the latter.
Both Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi are currently in talks to leave Crystal Palace but both helped their club win the FA Cup and Community Shield while their future was uncertain and played in the 0-0 draw at Chelsea at the weekend when knee deep in discussion.
Equally Morgan Gibbs-White was denied moves to Manchester City and Spurs by Nottingham Forest but faced up to the harsh facts of football life, signed a new improved long term contract, and has retained the admiration of his followers. He has proved that a player wanting away can return to the fold under certain circumstances.
United's stance has never changed. Officially Isak is not for sale. When Liverpool bid £110m the offer was turned down so quickly the draught blew the fivers and tenners back to Merseyside before the conversation ended. Both Liverpool and Isak know the score and always have. Either they pay top dollar, well over the odds, or no deal and even then he only goes on our terms not his.
Yoane Wissa, on the other hand, has seen Brentford move the goalposts numerous times just as they did with Bryan Mbeumo and Manchester United. His price has gone up from £26m to £40m and now £60m though I must add in the name of fairness that his stance leading to strike action has been as emotive as that of Isak and one I cannot support.
If United don't sign two strikers to replace Isak and Callum Wilson then in Champions League year they are simply not going to tie a big pink bow round their top goalscorer and post him off to Anfield. That would be suicidal and millions of pounds lying idle in the bank wouldn't compensate for their stupidity.
I wonder as every day goes by if Isak has contemplated what life will be like in September if he is still resident in the city. His hand would be severely weakened. Would he go on strike as George Eastham sensationally did all those years ago at the dawn of the sixties when he took a £20 a week job selling cork in Reigate to force through a transfer to Arsenal?
Would he not play in World Cup year, take the financial hit of losing his wages in fines, and risk the likelihood that top clubs would not want him in a year's time? United might lose a huge transfer fee as well as a top player but Isak would suffer even more.
No, I don't think after a couple of weeks sulking the player would go down that suicidal route. What I dread is that he would train and play - but just go through the motions on match day which would leave the club with a lame duck leader.
It is dreadful, messy, tiresome, and disruptive. However Eddie Howe has kept his dignity throughout under testing circumstances he cannot control and he alone should solicit our sympathy and admiration.