So let this young chap fly around in his 172 for the 40 or so hours that £5000 will give him. Then ask said chap to perform a PFL, I guarantee he'd screw it up. Ask an instructor to perform a PFL and he'd get in 99% of the time.
What this young chap fails to appreciate is that you actually learn how to fly during a FIC, and not just how to operate the controls.
But as Tinny said, those who never have, will never know!