THE EYE AND EAR TEST IN FOOTBALL SCOUTING: WHY DECISION-MAKING AND COMMUNICATION MATTER.
In modern football, data analysis and performance metrics play a major role in football scouting and player recruitment.
But there are two critical areas of player assessment in football that data simply cannot measure:
👉 Decision-making
👉 On-field communication
This is where the eye test in football scouting, and just as importantly, the ear test, becomes essential.
Because a player can tick every statistical box… But still fail when it matters most.
Why the Eye Test Still Matters in Football Scouting
The eye test in football allows scouts to assess what data cannot:
- Decision-making under pressure
- Awareness and game intelligence
- Communication with teammates
- Leadership and personality
These are critical components of elite player performance.
Without them, even highly rated players can struggle.
Decision-Making: The Hidden Factor in Player Performance
One of the biggest differences between average and elite players is decision-making in football.
A player may:
- Complete passes
- Win duels
- Produce strong statistical outputs
But the key question is:
👉 Are they making the right decisions at the right time?
Poor decision-making can:
- Slow down attacks
- Break team structure
- Lead to turnovers in key areas
And ultimately, it can cost teams matches.
This is why football scouts and coaches must go beyond data and assess how and why actions happen, not just the outcome.
The ‘Ear Test’: Why Communication in Football Is Crucial
Communication is one of the most overlooked aspects of football talent identification.
Yet it is essential, particularly in key positions such as:
- Central midfield
- Centre-back
- Goalkeeper
A player who cannot communicate effectively:
- Struggles to organise teammates
- Reduces team cohesion
- Limits overall performance
This is something that no data platform will ever fully capture.
Real-World Insight: When Data Isn’t Enough
I recently spoke with an old colleague who had worked closely with a Premier League player who moved for a significant transfer fee.
Despite strong data and performance metrics, the player is now struggling at their new club.
One of the key reasons?
👉 A lack of communication on the pitch.
This issue had been identified during their development years and efforts were made to improve it.
But it remained a weakness.
And this is not an isolated case.
There is a growing concern within football coaching and scouting circles that many younger players lack strong communication skills, something that can significantly impact performance at higher levels.
What Live Scouting Reveals That Data Cannot
At a recent lower-league match, one player stood out, not just visually, but audibly.
The player was in the later stages of their career and may not have met all the physical or statistical benchmarks.
But their communication, leadership, and organisation made them the most influential player on the pitch.
They:
- Directed teammates
- Controlled the tempo
- Organised defensive shape
- Brought calmness under pressure
This is real influence in football.
And it cannot be measured by data alone.
Why Scouts Must Assess Communication and Leadership
As Ally McCoist has highlighted in various discussions around player development:
👉 Communication is a fundamental part of the game.
For coaches:
For scouts:
- It must be identified and valued
A vocal, intelligent, confident communicator is not just a bonus.
👉 It is a competitive advantage.
The Problem with Data-Only Scouting
Modern scouting leans towards data-driven recruitment in football.
But relying solely on data can lead to:
- Incomplete player profiles
- Missed personality traits
- Poor cultural or tactical fit
- Expensive recruitment mistakes
The best scouts understand:
👉 Data supports decisions
👉 It does not replace judgement
Developing Your Eye (and Ear) for Scouting
The ability to assess decision-making and communication is not automatic.
It is developed through:
- Watching live matches regularly
- Actively listening during games
- Analysing player behaviour
- Learning from experienced scouts and coaches
This is where structured education becomes critical.
AFCAS – Learn to Scout Beyond the Numbers
At AFCAS, we focus on developing real-world scouting skills, including:
- The eye test in football
- Player decision-making analysis
- Communication and leadership assessment
- Live match observation
These are areas often missed in traditional scouting courses.
👉 And if you’re not learning them, you are falling behind.
AFCAS STUDENTS
Our students have joined AFCAS from, or progressed to opportunities with, some of the world’s leading football clubs and associations, including:
National Football Associations
Dutch FA • English FA • Nigerian FA • Belgian FA
Professional Clubs
Arsenal • Manchester City • Chelsea • Manchester United • Newcastle United • Brighton & Hove Albion • West Ham United • Crystal Palace
Burnley • Ipswich Town • Leeds United • Millwall • Charlton Athletic • Queens Park Rangers • Cardiff City • Swansea City
Middlesbrough • Norwich City • Blackburn Rovers • Fleetwood Town • Luton Town • Lincoln City • AFC Wimbledon • Doncaster Rovers
FC Porto • AZ Alkmaar • PSV Eindhoven • Inter Miami • LA Galaxy • Rangers • Heart of Midlothian • Paris FC
…and many more.
Start your AFCAS – Scouting Journey today – Click here
Start Your Scouting Development
If you want to improve your football scouting knowledge, understand how to assess players beyond data, and develop the skills used in real recruitment environments:
👉 https://afcas.education/football-scouting
Learn how to see — and hear — what others miss.
Further Reading – Football Scouting: A Beginner’s Guide to Football Scouting
Further Reading – Football Scouting Courses: What should you expect from a Scout Education Provider
Further Reading – https://afcas.education/afcas-player-leadership-in-football-more-than-the-armband
Further Reading – Football Scouting: Assessing A Player – ‘The Eye Test’ In Football Scouting
Further Reading – Football Scouting: The Eye and Ear Test In Football Scouting: Why Decision-Making and Communication Matter
Originally published by AFCAS – Association of Football Coaches and Scouts
The coaching frameworks, scouting methodologies, player assessment models and educational content contained within the AFCAS Education Hub have been developed from the practical experiences of AFCAS educators working within grassroots, academy, professional and international football.
Original AFCAS Educational Content
The educational content, coaching principles, scouting methodologies and practical frameworks published within the AFCAS Education Hub have been developed through years of professional coaching, scouting and recruitment experience.
These articles represent original AFCAS educational material and are protected by copyright. Any reproduction, adaptation or commercial use without written permission is prohibited.
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About the Author
Ged Searson is the Managing Director of AFCAS and has over 30 years of coaching and scouting experience. He is a former Premier League First Team Scout, former EFL scout and former Chief Scout of the Malawi National Team. Through AFCAS, he has educated coaches and scouts from across the UK and around the world.
Published: 26 June 2026
Author: Ged Searson
Updated: 27 June 2026
