Anelka 'too hot to handle'
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Harry Redknapp was left to rue the one that got away after seeing Nicolas Anelka sink his Portsmouth side.
The French international scored what turned out to be the winner in a 3-2 win for Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.
And the Pompey boss revealed he'd tried to bring the former Arsenal striker to Fratton Park in September.
"You saw today why I tried to sign Nicolas Anelka in the summer," said a frustrated Redknapp.
"He's a top, top player and he showed it today. Anelka has that little bit of quality that sets him apart."
The Portsmouth manager was still pleased with the performance of his own front men, particularly veteran striker Andy Cole.
The former Manchester United man scored one and set up another in his first full game of the season - and could have clinched a draw but for the brilliance of Jussi Jaaskelainen in the Bolton goal.
"That will be his (Cole's) first full 90 minutes for almost a year," said Redknapp. "It was a great finish (for his goal) but if we play like that for the rest of the season we'll be ok."
Cole was left to lead the Portsmouth line following the decision to leave out Kanu but the Nigerian is expected to return for Monday's clash with Tottenham.
Even with Kanu and Pedro Mendes rested, the former West Ham manager was still pleased with his side's efforts.
"It was a good game. We started great and that's as good as we've played in the first 20 minutes of a match this season but you never get an easy game and they put you under pressure. They do it ever so well and they've also got ability."
Redknapp's assistant, Tony Adams, also said Pompey had paid for failing to cope with Bolton's aerial threat.
"If you don't deal with it, it's second balls that kill you," he said. "The majority of the game we dealt with it but we went to sleep and paid for it.
"It's disappointing to concede so many today but the squad's so small and we've had to rotate and try not to weaken ourselves too much." -
why did anelka chose bolton instead of portsmouth?
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b cos got former Pool player in Diouf mah..Originally posted by dragg:why did anelka chose bolton instead of portsmouth?
1 from France 1 from Senegal..
both neighbouring countries..so easier to tok -
Bolton got more $$$ than portsmouth ma.Originally posted by dragg:why did anelka chose bolton instead of portsmouth? -
bolton is one of the poorest club.Originally posted by bryanseb:Bolton got more $$$ than portsmouth ma.
i remember sam even got a paycut even though he did very well. -
hehe. like wat a-lost-9uy say,Originally posted by dragg:bolton is one of the poorest club.
i remember sam even got a paycut even though he did very well.Originally posted by a-Lost-9uY:b cos got former Pool player in Diouf mah..
1 from France 1 from Senegal..
both neighbouring countries..so easier to tok -
bcos sam is one of the top 5 managers in england
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agree.Originally posted by used:bcos sam is one of the top 5 managers in england