(UPDATE: 2025) From a role that you rarely see within today’s game to a role that is arguably one of the most valuable, we’re taking a look at the ultra important ‘General Forward’ role, explaining why it is indeed so important.
A ‘General Forward’ is a Manager’s dream. They are the most versatile type of attacker within football today and possess everything needed to be a key component within any squad. If you’ve been following every episode of this season so far, you’ll remember our look at the ‘General Defender’ and ‘General Midfielder’ roles where we explained that one of the best attributes of both is their hardworking spirit and ability to play in multiple positions. Well, the ‘General Forward’ also possesses those traits, with the caveat of actually being an exceptional footballer with many different key attributes that allow them to be a potential match winner. The main kicker, however, is their ability to play in multiple different roles in and around the attacking areas on the pitch.
ATTACKING PHASE
Simply put, whatever you ask a ‘G.F’ to do they will perform it to the best of their ability. So, what this means is that they are at the mercy of your set up and how you choose to use them. Generally speaking, they like to get the ball at their feet in order to display their technical prowess, but as I just mentioned, you can play them out wide like a ‘Wide Forward’, behind the main striker like an ‘Advanced Playmaker’, or you can play them as your main F(C) with the responsibility of floating around to find space or stretching the opposition’s defence by running in behind (some ‘General Forwards’ can play witj their back to goal as well). So, from an offensive point of view, these ‘General Forwards’ can do EVERYTHING!
DEFENSIVE PHASE
What makes ‘G.F’s’ even more of an asset is their brilliant engine off the ball. It seems as if in order to be a ‘General’ within Soccermanager requires that you are a hard working player first and foremost (which I absolutely love). No matter where you play your ‘G.F,’ they will work hard for the team regardless of wether you’re pressing all over or within your own half. Additionally, since they’re so positionally inclined, ‘General Forwards’ will defend brilliantly no matter where you put them on the pitch.
POSITIONAL TRAITS
If you don’t have a forward within your team that can play as a ‘G.F, I’m afraid that you’re missing out on a player who can potentially showcase big match performances even if they haven’t been a regular starter within your team. This is down to the fact that they are such an intlliegent breed of player.
In terms of their positioning, ‘G.F’s’ can play anywhere within the AM,F(RLC) positions, but the real identification of a top ‘General Forward’ is any player who can comfortably play within the F(RLC) positions.
One final thing to mention is the importance of the ‘Use Target Man’ box. Whenever you want to play your F(C) as a ‘General Forward’ it’s crucial that you NEVER tick the ‘Use Target Man box’ since this will allow him the freedom to showcase his versatility. (UPDATE) In modern day SMW, the idea is now to place the answer ‘no’ next to the Use Target Man option. Additionally, if a ‘General Forward’ is playing alongside another F(C) then his natural intention will be to operate as your ‘G.F’ even if you don’t change a single tactical instruction.
KEY ATTRIBUTES (From SM26 and beyond)
I have a feeling that this list might be the longest so far within season 4. Lets find out, shall we?
Positioning
Movement
Finishing
Dribbling
Long Shots
Control
Passing
Creativity
Aerial Ability
Stamina
Work Rate
Aggression
Composure
Concentration
BEST PLAYERS OF ROLE IN SOCCERMANAGER WORLDS
UPDATE: In the previous lists back in 2023 I offered to display the top 5 players who can play as a ‘General Forward’as well as the top 5 players wbo are actually ‘General Forwards’.
In this updated format, I’ll be gifting you with the top 15 natural ‘G.F’s’ within SMW as well as another 10 whom could play this role quite well if being commanded to.
THE S.M.E’s Top 15 General Forwards within SMW:
Kylian Mbappé 🇫🇷
Julián Álvarez 🇦🇷
Ousmane Dembélé 🇫🇷
Mikel Oyarzabal 🇪🇸
Heung-Min Son 🇰🇷
Marcus Thuram 🇫🇷
Iñaki Williams 🇬🇭
Gabriel Jesus 🇧🇷
Hugo Ekitiké 🇫🇷
Sadio Mané 🇸🇳
João Pedro 🇧🇷
Andrade Richarlison 🇧🇷
Christopher Nkunku 🇫🇷
Ferrán Torres 🇪🇸
Leandro Trossard 🇧🇪
THE S.M.E’s Top 10 Players who can comfortably operate as a General Forward within SMW:
Mohamed Salah 🇪🇬
Vinícius Júnior 🇧🇷
Marcus Rashford 🏴
Jarod Bowen 🏴
Goes Rodrygo 🇧🇷
Omar Marmoush 🇪🇬
Serge Gnabry 🇩🇪
Matheus Cunha 🇧🇷
Luis Díaz 🇨🇴
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia 🇬🇪
That’s our look at the ‘General Forward’ role, Soccermanagerites. Wow, can you believe we’re coming to the end of this season? 😭 It’s been such a treat writing these blogs, man (seems like I just started yesterday). I hope you’ve been enjoying the content so far. We’ve still got some very important roles to go over, so let’s make a very intense push towards the finish line, lads.
Chat to you in the next one. ADIOS!!!
The Soccermanager Experience 