Signing players for your first 11: 4* CA - or is it 2.5* CA?

[Macon]

So immediately before confirming a signing, I get my coach with the best JPA to prepare a report card. He reckons the player has 4* CA, and is head and shoulders clear of the next best player in my squad. I finalise the signing, and the player actually arrives.

My coach still thinks he is 4* CA, and is still easily the best player in his position.

However... within a couple of days, he dramatically changes the assessment to 2.5*, and no longer thinks he is the best player we have. If the player then does well in matches, the assessment eventually moves up again and sometimes reaches the original 4* prediction.

This change of assessment from 4 (or 3.5) stars to 2.5 stars happens with most of my signings. Anyone else noticed it, and has an opinion about whether it is a bug or a deliberate feature?

[HUNT3R]

A report card from the scout isn't going to be very accurate, for a start.

The coach then has the re-evaluate the player himself.

The adjustment will take into account things like form etc as well.

[MECAP]

scout with assistant manager cause he will give you those stars afterwards, also opinion will change if player plays around 6,60 av.rating or if you play another player instead, if you had signed two players on same position, initial star was 4 comparing to your previous crop of players, but situation had changed as the base for comparison is another player.

[mchbitil]

You need a scout with best JCA not JPA.

[mack4ever]

Also make sure you're scouting them for an extended period of time.

The Scout Report is essentially "well this is what I've heard about this player".

Get your scout to go and watch him for a number of matches and you'll get a much more accurate report.

[Salaq]

Yes, well, be sure that your scout is good at judging current, not potential ability. In my experience, with a scout that has around 13-15 JCA or more, I usually won't get an error of more than half a star. Usually in the wrong direction, unfortunately - if a player seems "too good to be true" based on scouted reports and wage demands during a negotiation, try scouting him for a few matches as others said, or get reports from different scouts (if there is no rival interest or looming transfer window closure that prevents this) - you can filter out a few disappointments that way.

[iAlwaysWin]

current and potential rating stars mean nothing in fm15, if a 5 star potential player or current 5 star player isnt playing or performing badly his current stars will reduce even if his current ability stays the same, current ability is purely based on performances in fm15, i can take a 2 star player and turn him into a 4 star player simply by playing him and getting him to perform.

[HUNT3R]

current and potential rating stars mean nothing in fm15, if a 5 star potential player or current 5 star player isnt playing or performing badly his current stars will reduce even if his current ability stays the same, current ability is purely based on performances in fm15, i can take a 2 star player and turn him into a 4 star player simply by playing him and getting him to perform.

It isn't based purely on performances, but performances are taken into account.