The secrets of a giant killer ...
Bradford City FC are at it again with another victory over Premier League opposition in
this year’s thrilling FA Cup competition – This time Bradford beat Sunderland 2-0 on a
muddy pitch in front of sell out crowd bringing back memories of cup giant killings from
the past.
What is your favourite cup giant killing and why?
Have you experienced being a cup giant killer or being on the receiving end of a beating
in game that you expected to win ... what was it like?
Bradford have already beaten Premier League leaders Chelsea in the FA Cup this year
and back in the 2012/13 season they beat Arsenal and Aston Villa on the way to the
Capital Cup final.
Why do we love a cup giant killing as supporters?
What do you think is Bradford’s secret to being giant killers in recent years?
Phil Parkinson, the manager of Bradford said in the Sunderland post match interview the
secret to their victory was to keep the underdog feeling/mentality going by running more,
showing greater intensity, closing down quicker and wanting it more.
Do you agree with Phil Parkinson that the key to defeating giants in football is to keep the
underdog mentality, work harder and want it more?
Or do you think there are other factors? e.g. looking to be a hero, using the conditions,
preying on complacency, cramping the opposition’s style, believing and doing whatever it
takes?
In the Bible, the most famous giant killing story is that of the teenage shepherd boy
David who defeats the 9 foot tall experienced warrior Goliath. David certainly seemed to
embrace all the qualities of a giant killer in his battle as he kept the underdog mentality
of wanting it more, looking to be a hero, using the conditions, preying on complacency,
cramping the opposition’s style, believing and doing whatever it took. However David did
have an additional secret we read of in 1 Samuel 17: 45-47 when he said to Goliath “You
come against me with sword, spear and javelin but I come against you in the name of
the Lord Almighty ...this day the Lord will hand you over to me and I will strike you down
... All gathered here will know that it is not by the sword or spear that the Lord saves, for
the battle is the Lord’s ...”
How can David’s secret help us with the giants we face in life?
What are some of the giants we face in life today? E.g. debt, ill health, unemployment,
fear, broken dreams, damaged relationships etc?
Will you call upon the Lord to help you with the giants you face in your life today?