Which Scouting Technique is More Skillful?

July 31st, 2008 by SM Dev (ste)

There are two main ways to scout players in my opinion, and the question is which is the most skillful?

The two main ways in which you can scout are:

First, look at low rated players you consider ‘underrated’, can purchase for peanuts (well acutally stirling), and you know they are likely to rise in rating.
Second, look at low rated players you consider ‘underrated’ (no I am not copying and pasting from above), you know they are likely to rise in rating, but also (and this is key) are potential gems (who people believe are going to be the next Lionel Messi, Ronaldo etc).

With the first method of scouting, you are looking at players short term, and as soon as they rise in rating you are looking to sell them. e.g. You have just purchased Mr Joe Bloggs for £250,000 playing for Real Madrid Castilla, and now your player has just had a rating increase and is valued at £1,450,000 - you then place him on the transfer list and make a nice proft (after you have taken his purchase prices and wages into consideration).

You do not keep hold of these players that you scout unless you think that they are a gem, and will keep on rising in rating and value. Most of the ones you purchase from this scouting will be Mr Joe Average, not likely to increase in rating much more, and perfect to help fund your bank balanace.

This brings me on nicely to the second method of scouting. You have virtually done the same as the first method, but this time you have a potential gem on your hands who people believe is going to be the next Lionel Messi or similar. Your player is also more than likely to keep increasing in rating.

I will explain what I mean by these two methods in a nutshell to conclude. In the first method you keep scouting and buying Mr Joe Average, and your sole intention is to sell your player(s) to make money for your club. However, with the second method, you keep scouting potential gems, and aim the get them on your books before they burst on to the scene.

Which scouting technique is more skillful in your opinion?

Bookmark this:
Add 'Which Scouting Technique is More Skillful?' to Del.icio.us

Del.icio.us Add 'Which Scouting Technique is More Skillful?' to digg

digg

Add 'Which Scouting Technique is More Skillful?' to reddit

Facebook

Add 'Which Scouting Technique is More Skillful?' to Technorati

Technorati Add 'Which Scouting Technique is More Skillful?' to Stumble Upon

Stumble Upon

Translate into:

Posted in: World Soccer News

Previous / Next Articles

Messages: Blocked Deals Ideas & Suggested Improvements: Player Contracts & Transfer Offers

14 Comments Add your own

1. Jack Davies | July 31st, 2008 at 2:31 pm

I think a mixture of both is best. Method one is great for getting cash quickly and is a great way to fund a div 4 promotion campaign. While, if u can sign Lionel Messi for 10k then i doubt any1 would complain either!!!
2. M | July 31st, 2008 at 2:37 pm

As a manager of a big club i try to get players to keep for the future as you can make money quite easily whereas if i’m a div 4 team I’m mainly looking for ones to make me a profit. Simple.
3. adzs | July 31st, 2008 at 3:33 pm

number 2 definitely……in all of my setups i buy Orlando Suarez and martin Galvan (the only 2 15 year olds in the game both 70+…)…..these players will become huge…so to have them in my team is an excellent option….if Ur a gold member and you get relegated…imagine if one of them had a big rating change like krkic……then ud rip the lower league apart
4. c.curtin | July 31st, 2008 at 3:49 pm

number 2,I prefer buying players who could become good or even great players in the future.it’s better trying to find these players and buying them,and as they’re cheap you can buy a couple of them.it also means that your squad doesn’t have a load of older players with no young,new players to replace them in the future.
5. tebthereb | July 31st, 2008 at 6:36 pm

I think the article is pretty leading and points people to number 2. The first one requires more hardwork in my opinion, the second is largely a gamble and carries a big risk. Both have pros and cons so I do both and I think anyone who ignores one or the other is pretty daft given the way SM is.
6. Andres | July 31st, 2008 at 10:27 pm

I like to scout young players that are underrated like players in the mexican league but in real life are very good.
I have made a lot of profit with that technique
7. ?! | August 1st, 2008 at 6:55 am

this is to add on adzs comment that demir is a good buy too he is 16 and 76 rating and plays centre back
8. timmy c | August 1st, 2008 at 12:20 pm

u could do option 3 where u sign a real gem and his rating goes up from 70 to 89 then advertise him on ur set ups newspaper his rating goes up 2 92 then u c that he is past his best so sell him 4 a “tastey” price

but i like option 2 wen u keep the player.
9. Astan | August 1st, 2008 at 7:00 pm

I buy a lot of cheap young players, keep the good ones and sell the ones that stagnate in their career. The young players playing for good clubs are too cheap in this game. There needs to be a mechanism that figures in the quality of a club for a young player. If a 19-year old 70-rated player plays for Milan or Barca you know you will make money on him.
10. Bestpay | August 2nd, 2008 at 12:36 pm

Both are skillful in my opinion.

I’ve known players who minesweep and just buy all new players rated 70-72 on the DB and wait for them to rise. There’s no skill in that at all.

I use option 1 a lot and buy players typically rated up to 80 as investments and then most of the time sell them on later. Certain players (e.g Giovinco and Buonanotte) become favourites and I hold on to them in case they reach 90+.

I think the question slightly leads people to prefer option 2. There is more skill undoubtedly in finding the next Ronaldo but there are only a handful of these each year (e.g. Pato, Bojan, etc).

Therefore any manager with sense will use a blend of option 1 and option 2.
11. Andrew Wicks | August 2nd, 2008 at 6:09 pm

I tend to buy young players, hoping that they will turn out to be good. If this is the case, and they continue to progress and improve, I will keep the player. But if they improve once and then stay the same rating for ages, I sell him.

I am basically saying that I don’t intend on selling players, but if i don’t see any improvement…… then the player is up for sale.
12. Shelbourne FC {Forum} | August 3rd, 2008 at 3:56 am

Have Always Used Option 2, But Have On Occasion Bought To Sell On Aswell altough very limited..

Sincechairman Valuation has become a factor it plays a huge part
in how you are able to deal within the market..

But What Takes More Skill…

I Would say its neither but rather a balance of both.. tbh

By 11/22 top top class prospects & leve it at that.. then buy to sell on & with that income buy for now quailty.. & in time maybe youl get 7/8/11 of the prospect u brough in come good enough for ur squad withn about 5 years
13. Garrett | August 3rd, 2008 at 5:07 am

I’ve had some real gems of finds, but I’ve also been burnt on bad buys or more likely too many buys. I tend to look for 10k players under the age of 18 or 75 rated players aged 17. I can’t explain why, but my purchases of 17 year old 75 rated players have always worked for me especially Ignacio Camacho Barnola and Artem Kravats.

I’ve sold some youth players, but mostly if they were just taking up spots and not having much of a future on my side.
14. Matt | August 3rd, 2008 at 6:55 pm

Sorry timmy c but why would they go up in rating because you place an ad in your game newspaper?