Portsmouth News 24/7Writer: pompeyrug 
Date:Saturday August 25 2007
Time: 10:24AM
UK time is: 18:53:13
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Pompey grateful to 'King' Kanu
Whatever the opinion on Kanu, which I know is - or at least was - split by many, his pulling power among African footballers, let alone simply Nigerian footballers cannot be questioned.
As we all know it is thanks in no small part to Kanu that John Utaka is here at Pompey now and I am over the moon that the fella is.
The whole process with Kanu and his contract signing was so drawn out and it did wind me up no end, but I was always of the belief that whatever was best for Pompey is what I wanted - but anyway this is not something we need to talk about anymore, this chapter has been written.
I was watching some of the video clips of PFCtv yesterday and I came across one where Harry Redknapp was talking about Kanu and how he is regarded as a 'King' among the Nigerians, which he is - there is also a classic one where he is doing the press conference following the Bolton game when his son Jamie calls him, he answers the phone and they have a debate about Kanu's age after Jamie had questioned it, which I must admit I am still not sure he is only 31 to be honest.
Utaka acknowledged the role Kanu had played in his wanting to sign - before he even joined, doing so again after he did, but with him now making waves, particularly after his blinding solo effort against Bolton last week, he has earned himself a full page spread in Daily Mail online version, where he does so again - click here.
It has not taken Utaka long to establish himself among the fans, which it does not often take any player in fairness, but he has every chance of becoming one of the signings of the season. Lets just hope he can continue his fine early season form with another brilliant display against Chelsea today.
One thing we have to remember though, we must get the name right, as he said himself in the interview with the Daily Mail 'it is pronounced "Ooh-taka". I've had "Youtaka" but that is not right'.
PLAY UP POMPEY!
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Your Comments
It is great to see Pompey getting media coverage like this at last. Oo..taka apparently is a player who has hot streaks lets hope it lasts just the 38 games this season!!
eastneydave
obviously we expect him to have some quiet spells but like you say mate lets hope that these quiet spells do not drag on too long. i knew little about him when he arrived tbh, but i know about as much as i need to now...
pompeyrug
If you watch his goals last season on youtube I think he scored 12 and has two hat-tricks. Great goals some of them though.
eastneydave
Kanu always had very good control, with some lovely tricks. But until he joined you guy's he always seemed to do the hard bit, then miss an open goal. On the subject of his age, I remember him playing in that Ajax CL team of 1995. That’s 12 years ago, so he would have been 19. I new he was young then, but didn't think he was that young ‘
Topspur1
As much as we can praise Kanu, we still need to find someone who can score goals for fun. I can't imagine him being at Pompey next season so we need a strong striker to fill his boots...Bring back the Yak!
Maniak101
if kanu plays his 20 games - which i reckon he will then we will see him back wont we... well the yak is out of the question now isnt he mate, but i still have this feeling about defoe tho.
pompeyrug
Was impressed by Kanu and Utaka, had it not been for JT and Cech......Good game lads.
Blue is the colour
Kanu and Utaka wre very good today and as you say, John Tery and Petr Chech were different gravy for Chelsea.
We gave it a go today, cheers Harry thats what we wanted.
Owenspompey
sol was pretty awesome as well wasnt he - so i can certainly see terry and sol pairing up really well for england! yep kanu and big john ooh-taka were brilliant today, but all our players were werent they. more of the same next week please 'arry - if we do i think we can certainly get a positive result too...
pompeyrug
Rug, we gave them a game and our players stood up and fought for the shirt. now for Leeds and Arsenal, if we could win both we will be well on our way to achieving the cup run and decent start that we need.
Owenspompey
Have a go & if we get beat, well, we had a go.
storagematt
Muntari was brilliant and Kanu is so dangerous - look to him for a score against his old club !
StuartM
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