Buying Players: Anyone take stats into account?

I have a question for all the FM players: do you look at a player's history and check out his stats when deciding on transfers, or only attributes?

I buy lots of young players, so I don't usually have much to work with in the stats department, but when buying older players I try to see their goals scored, assists, average rating, etc. Still, I definitely weigh attributes and scouting reports higher.

For strikers I do. If I am looking for a guy to come in and guarantee me some goals it definately helps to see that they have done it before, especially at the same level I am currently at.

For other poisitons....strictly attributes.

For strikers I do. If I am looking for a guy to come in and guarantee me some goals it definately helps to see that they have done it before, especially at the same level I am currently at.

For other poisitons....strictly attributes.

I tend to the same. I will have a glance occasionally at other players Av Rating, but this can be misleading dependant on the players' cunnent club's tactics and where he's playing.

Stats are almost the only thing I look at throughout my games. I have my scouts searching for players at my level or higher and then use pre-saved filtering systems to find those that have the stats I need/want. My entire pre-season is taken up by me organising my training and transfers (both in and out) by these filters. I think I have over 400 filters.

Bestie.

For strikers I do. If I am looking for a guy to come in and guarantee me some goals it definately helps to see that they have done it before, especially at the same level I am currently at.

For other poisitons....strictly attributes.

(All of) what he said.

I never look at stats. Always attributes.

Only if they're too good to ignore.

Signed Paloschi to Inter after he scored 33 in 37 for Parma.

I use a (self-made) scouting tool. I also look at stats and match ratings.

I look at average rating, especially for players older than 20. Previous performance has proven to be a pretty good predictor of performance for my team. I.e. a CM that has averaged 7.15 or better average rating for his team over 4 years, then joins my team and the trend is the same, if not slightly better average ratings.

For those relying on past average ratings of players, I recommend that you do not take it as your first benchmark. There is a slight issue with the quick engine generating higher ratings for background players: http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php?t=168476. So, it will be best you consult your valuable scouts first before plunging into a signing based on stats.

I take ratings in more importantance then attributes. I take a look at personality, injury past and stats, and then attributes. Stops me signing players who are inconsistent, injury prone or trouble makers. Does lead to a few flops but also some bargains.

I never look at stats. Always attributes.

Seconded, though I do keep an eye out for poor stats, the player might be going a little cheaper.

I no longer use scouts, I just choose players based on their attributes. It’s infinitely more fun, especially at lower league levels if you can uncover what turns out to be great buys from sub-conf n/s clubs. As such, the assistant manager advice when offering a contract is most unwanted!

I’ll look at injury record, ave rating etc, but at lower league level they sometimes don’t have ‘em, especially if you’re picking up free agents.

I take a detailed look at my own players stats and attribute movements (which involves a fair bit of work pasting screenies onto spreadsheets) when deciding who to promote to the first team, offload etc.

I look at attributes and personality mainly. I'll also use scouts to find out things like

More detailed personality than on the profile

Hidden attributes such as consistency, big games, injury proneness

Potential

Stats are almost the only thing I look at throughout my games. I have my scouts searching for players at my level or higher and then use pre-saved filtering systems to find those that have the stats I need/want. My entire pre-season is taken up by me organising my training and transfers (both in and out) by these filters. I think I have over 400 filters.

Bestie.

Having actually read other people's replies I realised that what I was thinking of as stats (misread the OP) are in fact attributes. So yeah, I use attributes rather than stats.

Bestie.

I signed a striker who scored 1 goal the previous season and only 40ish goals in a 10 year career.

He scored 27 goals in his first season in Serie A. I don't know if its the ME or what not, but I tend to have super prolific strikers.

I dont have the option to look at their histories, as they have disappeared. :|

In the first few seasons,I sign big names but later on in the game i look at stats.

same as first reply.