Look at some of the attribrutes when signing players......I like my teams to have High Work Rate, Team work and Determination as a must...this will give you a better chance of surviving for first season...
GK - Communication, Handling, Rushing out, Postionining, Jumping......12 +(attribrutes)
RB - Crossing, Dribbling, Takling, Pace and Acceleration.....12+
LM- Drbbling, Crossing, Pace, Acceleration, Off the ball.....12+
CM - for me has to be a tank.......Work rate, Team work, Takling, Passing, Stamia, Strengh, Decsions.....(I know this might sound like a perfect CM but, you will find someone who fit the bill)
Hopefully this will help....I would not worry about your scouts reports too much as some of them give you a false overveiw of the player......If you can look into more of the players attributes, then the reports you will find alot of decent players on the free transfer list......goodluck mate