How much do they matter, or impact on a players performance?
When I see a players profile, I naturally look at his technical, and then his physical, atts. Scouts are pretty ambiguous on the matter, they might say he's not very determined or a bit lazy, but they don't tell me if this is something that should prevent me signing him. So, does anyone have any ideas?

Mental attributes are even with physical and technical attributes in terms of importance, except for in the lower leagues physical attributes are most important. Mental attributes are basically the player's approach to the game, and how his brain works in terms of attitude, introvert/extrovert and others. A player may be technically strong: he knows he to do the moves, but he might not know when to do them: based on his mental skills.

As a basis, a determined player will try and get the win even when losing and won't just give up. He'll also apply himself harder in training and be a fine role model to tutor young players. A lazy player is basically the opposite: the extreme version being missing training to watch TV and eat pizza.

The scouts will include mental attributes in their overall review, i.e. when they tell you that he is a "decent player" or you must sign him, etc. It isn't strictly neccesary to reject players with a determination below x, but then a more determined team generally makes for a better team.

There are a vast range of mental attributes so if you explain any other particular ones you are having trouble understanding, just say so and I or one of the other forum-members can elaborate as to how that attribute transfers onto the training field and onto the pitch.

Thanks a lot!

This is incorrect. Don't have time to explain why right now, but will do later when I get home. Had to post in the topic so it stays black on the list :thup:

This is incorrect. Don't have time to explain why right now, but will do later when I get home. Had to post in the topic so it stays black on the list :thup: </BLOCKQUOTE>

This might have been fair comment for FM05 or before, but SI have developed the balance of attributes a lot - mental attributes a crucial at all levels; hopefully NepentheZ will go into details since I'm too lazy!