by Tom Hughes

Nine friends and I have all managed to get tickets for the play-off final in one long row.

Obviously, we plan to make the most of this arrangement by writing one letter each of the words ‘Thank U Zaha’ in red and blue house paint on our bare chests.

The hare-brained scheme is probably one of a million techniques Palace fans are plotting to try to detract from the growing pre-match tension.

Sadly, it seems like nothing can distract me at the moment, plus the body-painting plans have been put on hold anyway because not enough of the guys are willing to go ahead with the embarrassing public exposure.

So if you see a few idiots with ‘Tnk U Zha’ spelt across their torsos at Wembley, blame my more cowardly friends (and the rest of us for a severe lack of imagination).

Regardless, it speaks volumes that most of us would go through this (probably televised) humiliation just to express our appreciation for the outgoing winger in his final game for the club.

He showed his supreme class at the Amex, but nothing would make me happier or seem more fitting than to see him replicate those moments with another show-stopping performance against Watford.

The few sepia-tinted, blurry memories I have retained of David Hopkin’s curler and our 1997 play-off final win probably go a long way towards explaining my lasting attachment to the club 16 years later.

On the other hand, I’d go as far as to say the horrible 1996 defeat to Steve Claridge’s shin is my first memory of any strong emotion whatsoever.

Unfortunately, that recollection involves me crying in my front room.

At the very least, win or lose, hopefully bank holiday Monday will inspire a new generation of fans to embrace the topsy-turvy emotional helter-skelter that is Crystal Palace FC.

Follow Tom on Twitter @thughes0917.