Martin Jol has conceded that Fulham would not have been able to attract Pavel Pogrebnyak had the Russian's time at Stuttgart been a success.
The Cottagers completed a deadline day swoop for the 28-year-old striker, who put pen to paper on a six-month loan deal.
Pogrebnyak, who has 30 caps for his country, has only notched 22 goals in 90 appearances during his time in Germany.
Before deciding to rescue the Russian, Jol said he talked to Guus Hiddink and Dick Advocaat, who coached him for the Russian national team and Zenit St. Petersburg respectively.
"No, Pavel hasn't had a great time at Stuttgart, but if he had, we wouldn't have got him," said Jol.
"We have to take them when they are playing badly, otherwise they are not in the market for us.
"I spoke to Guus Hiddink and Dick Advocaat about it and he has had some great spells as well. It was a very good opportunity. But of course, he has to prove it."
Pogrebnyak moved to Stuttgart in 2009 from Zenit St. Petersburg.
