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."
