Anelka content with Bolton role
Nicolas Anelka says he is beginning to come to terms with life at Bolton.
Nicolas Anelka says he is beginning to come to terms with The Premiership and Bolton's style of play.The 27-year-old, who moved to The Reebok Stadium for a club record £8 million in the summer, has yet to find the net in the league for his new club.
Anelka has been deployed as a lone striker so far, with Sam Allardyce reluctant to change a winning formula.
The Trotters have yet to lose with Anelka in the side and although admitting concerns about his lack of involvement during games, the Frenchman is content in his role.
"I have started to re-find the rhythm of the English league which I know by heart and I love," Anelka told the Daily Mirror.
"I am playing alone up front which is not what I prefer. Our game is based on 'kick and rush' so I don't get the ball much.
"At the start, I was supposed to play with Kevin Davies. But the team is winning. We annoy other sides and, if we don't score much, we concede even fewer goals. We press a lot, so as far as fitness is concerned I am at 100 percent."
Anelka's return to The Premiership has already won him a recall to the France setup, with the Bolton striker called up as a late replacement by Raymond Domenech.
The former Arsenal and Manchester City man did not feature in the weekend defeat to Scotland and is unsure whether he will play any part against Faroe Islands on Wednesday.
Anelka is simply happy to be back on the international scene after missing out on a place in the World Cup this summer.
"I don't claim a starting place," he added. "That is the coach's decision. I know my qualities, I know what I am worth, to be here is not a surprise. I am happy to be back in the French team but I have stopped dreaming.
"I no longer have any illusions. I live day by day, that is the best way not to be disappointed. If I play, so much the better. If not, it is not the end of the world. I have come just to help the team.
"Even if I score six goals against the Faroes, I am not certain to be called up for the next match.
"Now I want to live without any problems. I have had enough of fighting against the whole world - it is really tiring.
"The French team is still a pleasure and not an obsession. I am proud to have been called up while wearing the shirt of Manchester City, Fenerbahce or Bolton."
