Ange Postecoglou says Tottenham considered signing Ivan Toney before Dominic Solanke and fans should not "rush to judgement" on the £65m striker.
Solanke, 27, has yet to score for Spurs in his three appearances this season since joining from Bournemouth in August.
Fellow England striker Toney eventually moved to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli from Brentford for £40m on deadline day.
Spurs have won just one of their four Premier League games and host Brentford on Saturday.
"We did look at him [Toney] but Dom was the one we wanted that fitted the profile we were looking for at the time," said Postecoglou.