Ange Postecoglou has leapt to the defence of Dominic Solanke as the £65m record arrival awaits his first goal for Tottenham.
Solanke signed for Spurs in a record-breaking deal in the summer but has endured a slow start in North London. The 27-year-old picked up an ankle injury during his debut at Leicester and has failed to score in his first three appearances across all competitions.
Solanke scored 19 league goals for Bournemouth last season and will aim to open his account when Spurs take on Brentford this weekend.
Asked for his view on Solanke’s start, Postecoglou said at his pre-match press conference: “People are just so quick to judge, mate.
“It’s a small sample. The guy has played less than two games for us. If he has gone 15 games without a goal then I can answer that question or 15 games where he hasn’t contributed, but I just think take a breath. Do a bit of yoga. Think about the world for a second and make an assessment after that.
“We don’t have to rush to judgement all the time because the alternative is he may have got off to a great start, he is fit, scored in all four games, is flying and then he goes through a patch like all strikers where he doesn’t score.
“I just don’t look at those things. What I look at is he has come in, fitted really well and quite logically has picked up an injury that has disrupted the way he wanted to start his career, but he’s still got plenty of time for that.”
Postecoglou confirms Spurs considered Toney transfer
Postecoglou was asked whether Spurs were interested in ex-Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who signed for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli in a £40m deal. The Australian confirmed Toney was considered but that Solanke was the club’s first-choice forward.
“We did look at him but Dominic was the one we wanted that fit the profile we were looking for at the time.”
