Sometimes ATC places a restriction on your descent, and a stage is reached where a stable approach is no longer achievable.
If your captain had such a efficient scan he would be aware of this and;
1. Would make ATC aware of this fact, request extra track miles, an orbit etc...
2. Not accept track shortening which leads to an unstable approach.
3. Be monitoring descent profile the entire descent, anticipate what ATC is doing with other traffic and position the aircraft to be flexible in case track shortening becomes available. This requires effective situational awarness generated by an good scan and management.
Of course a go-round is necessary in cases of an unstable approach or any other situation which requires it, but a go-round will cost a lot more than a few extra miles or minor profile adjustments to avoid it.
If the crew choose to ignore what their 'scan' is telling them and push on for a close approach to save time than this highlights another problem.