Why metrics matter — and why scouts care
I’ve spent seasons on the touchline and in the stands watching talented forwards get overlooked because they didn’t present the right evidence. At non-league level, raw talent is abundant; the difference between a promising player and one who earns a move to the Championship often comes down to measurable, repeatable outputs that scouts can trust. Clubs increasingly rely on data to reduce risk, so if you’re a striker aiming up the pyramid, you need to know which numbers catch eyes — and how to produce them consistently.
The five scout-ready metrics I watch for strikers
Below are the five metrics I’ve found most decisive when Championship clubs assess non-league forwards. I’m not claiming they’re the only indicators, but they’re the ones that regularly trigger scouting interest and a closer look on video.
- Expected Goals per 90 (xG/90) — shows quality of chances being taken and finishing opportunities created by positioning.
- Shot Conversion Rate (shots → goals) — indicates finishing efficiency; useful when combined with shot volume.
- Shots in the Box per 90 (shots in-box/90) — measures activity in the danger area and ability to get into goal-scoring positions.
- Progressive Passes / Progressive Carries Leading to Shots (PP/PC → shots) — captures involvement in chance-creating sequences beyond just finishing.
- Pressing Actions in the Final Third per 90 (pressures/90) — reflects modern work-rate and defensive contribution, a must for Championship teams that press.
Metric 1 — Expected Goals per 90 (xG/90)
xG/90 tells scouts whether a striker regularly gets into high-quality positions. A striker who averages 0.40–0.60 xG/90 in non-league football is creating significant value. Lower numbers can be misleading if a player’s role is to drop deep or hold the ball; still, consistent xG is a clean signal.
How I use it: I track xG across blocks of five matches to avoid small-sample noise. A hot streak of goals can inflate appearances, but steady xG suggests the underlying opportunity is real. Tools: Wyscout and InStat provide robust xG visualisations; you can also use open-source models if you’re recording your own video.
Metric 2 — Shot Conversion Rate
Efficiency matters. Championship scouts want forwards who can turn chances into goals, but they also know luck plays a part. A conversion rate of roughly 18–25% in non-league is eye-catching — especially when paired with solid xG. If conversion is above that but xG is low, scouts will watch for selective shooting or an over-reliance on long-range efforts.
Practical advice: Don’t spam low-quality shots. Work on composure drills (1v1 finishing, small-goal target practice) and shot selection. Recording your shot locations with a simple pitch map (you can make one in Excel or use Hudl/Coach Paint tools) helps justify your conversion to scouts.
Metric 3 — Shots in the Box per 90
Volume matters — but targeted volume. Shots inside the box are far more predictive of goals than shots from distance. I look for strikers averaging at least 2.0 shots-in-box/90 at non-league level. Players with high movement and timing will consistently register these numbers: they’re getting into the right spaces and forcing defenders into awkward situations.
How to improve it: Work on timing of runs, body shape when receiving the ball, and linking with attacking midfielders. Simple drills like timed runs behind a defensive line, receiving under pressure, and finishing from cutbacks make a real difference.
Metric 4 — Progressive Involvement Leading to Shots
Modern strikers are judged on more than goals. Do you participate in progressive play? Can you carry the ball or make the key pass that leads to a shot? I track progressive passes + progressive carries that directly result in a teammate taking a shot, and also how often a striker’s action is the penultimate pass or carry before a shot.
Why scouts like this: Championship teams often need a forward who presses defenders out of position and creates chances—not just a poacher. A forward who posts 0.3–0.6 progressive actions leading to shots per 90 is presenting themselves as an all-round offensive asset.
Coaching note: Small-sided games that reward progressive dribbles and incisive passes replicate match-like triggers. Including video clips in an online clip reel showing these sequences is valuable when submitting to club recruiters.
Metric 5 — Pressing Actions in the Final Third per 90
Work-rate is non-negotiable at higher levels. Pressing metrics are often undervalued by players but prized by clubs that use data: 8–12 successful pressures in the final third per 90 at non-league level makes a striker attractive because it indicates tactical discipline and energy.
Measurement and improvement: GPS trackers from Catapult or Polar are common at semi-pro clubs and produce reliable pressing maps; if you don’t have that tech, coach-tracked event data and video tagging can provide counts. Drills that simulate triggers for pressing (defensive line height, passes to pivot players, goalkeeper distribution patterns) are practical and directly transferable.
Putting the metrics together — a simple reference table
| Metric | Benchmark Range (Non-League) | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| xG/90 | 0.40 – 0.60 | Shows quality and consistency of chances |
| Shot Conversion Rate | 18% – 25% | Finishing efficiency when converting opportunities |
| Shots in Box/90 | ≥ 2.0 | Activity in high-probability scoring areas |
| Progressive Actions → Shots/90 | 0.3 – 0.6 | Contribution to team progression and chance creation |
| Final Third Pressures/90 | 8 – 12 | Modern defensive work-rate and tactical fit |
How to build a scout-ready profile
Numbers open doors, but context gets you through interviews and trials. Here’s the workflow I advise players to follow:
- Collect match footage and tag the clips that illustrate each metric (goals, inside-box shots, progressive actions, pressing sequences).
- Produce a one-page statistics summary aligned with the benchmarks above. Use simple graphs or a table — clarity matters.
- Include contextual notes: common partner players, preferred system (4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, etc.), and set-piece roles.
- Get references from coaches that speak to attitude, training ethic, and availability for trial periods.
- Use platforms like Wyscout/Instat if your club subscribes; otherwise compile clips on Vimeo/YouTube with time-stamped highlights for easy review.
Final practical tips from the trenches
I’ve seen many talented strikers neglect the basics: consistent training logs, a clean highlight reel, and measured metrics. You don’t need elite tech to start — simple manual logs of shots, locations, and pressing events paired with filmed matches will do. If you can, invest in a basic GPS unit (Polar or a cheaper Stryd-style tracker for running load) and a subscription to a video platform used by scouts.
Above all, be honest. If your conversion rate spikes for a month, explain it with volume, role change, or tactical shift. Scouts appreciate transparency and players who can present and interpret their own data intelligently.