WELCOME to the play-offs; the ultimate do-or-die football showdown.

A whole season's work boils down to a few games. Everything is black and white. These are occasions which can reduce grown men to tears – or leave them with a busted ceiling.

Paul Anderson knows exactly how much play-offs mean after footing the bill for an excited Ipswich fan who punched a hole in the artex last year celebrating the winger's goal against Norwich.

Ross Morgan, who lives in Wetherby, tagged him in a tweet about it afterwards and cheekily asked if he would pay for the repairs. Anderson was happy to do so.

"It was a tongue-in-cheek thing," said the fit-again City wideman.

"I felt bad really because I tried to organise someone to fix it for him but the person I asked actually let me down, which made me look a bit of a spanner! But he managed to get it fixed for me and I refunded him the bill.

"We still keep in contact a little bit because he doesn't live too far from here. He's been to a couple of Bradford games this season and he's messaged me a few things.

"He wants to meet up and buy me a beer at some point. But let's save it until the summer and hopefully I can have a few more than one!"

By then, Anderson will be hoping it's a case of fourth time lucky in the play-offs as he has never got past the semi-final stage in three previous attempts. Twelve months ago Norwich won the decider at home after that first meeting had finished 1-1.

Anderson said: "It's crazy how quickly time goes by. That goal was a big high of mine – one of the highlights of my career that I don't think anyone will be able to take away.

"There was such a big build-up to the game and the whole atmosphere and experience was special. I didn't even start but came on because of an unfortunate injury to Luke Varney. That shows how football changes, so you never know what happens. You've just got to be mentally ready at the right time.

"I've not had the extreme high of getting to the final and winning or losing at Wembley. But the law of averages says it's got to change at some point. Hopefully I'll be that one player who gives everyone something to celebrate on May 29."

It has been a challenging first year at Valley Parade for Anderson. Arriving right at the end of pre-season after failing to find another Championship club, he broke his leg in September just when he looked to get up to speed.

Having started his first game since on Sunday, Anderson knows what he can bring to City's play-off bid – and what he owes the supporters.

He said: "It's energy, enthusiasm and probably a bit of frustration. I've not played for six months. The fans have maybe been a little bit cheated after I came in.

"I played in the Championship for seven years and maybe they were thinking 'this is going to be our season' when you get someone from a higher league. But then you don't see it.

"It's been frustrating for them and for me – but I'm back and fit and raring to go. I'm desperate for the manager to give me some sort of opportunity."

City have motored along in Anderson's absence with a run of form since January that only champions Wigan can match.

Five of the current side were in the League Two play-off winning squad in 2013, while Nathan Clarke skippered Leyton Orient at Wembley two years ago – so they do not lack for experience at this tensest of times.

Anderson said: "The lads have got great experience and a lot of us have been there before and done it. I think it does give us a bit of an edge.

"It's a cup tie and you've got to keep your head. You've got to make right decisions. We've got lads here who have been through that. I can't speak for other teams but our lads are hungry.

"The club have worked hard, especially since the gaffer's been here, to go from right down the bottom of League Two to where we are now. He brought in people like myself and others to take us to that next level. We all want to repay the manager for that.

"I was disappointed not to get a Championship club this year but I was given a club in Bradford that are heading that way. Hopefully it will happen this year. If it doesn't, we've got an unbelievable platform to go for next season – but nobody is thinking like that right now."

So could Anderson be gearing up to another magic play-off moment – one that propels City back into the second tier after a 12-year wait?

"It's all set up," he smiled. "But there are a lot of lads who haven't played as much football as they would have hoped. Everyone's going to be thinking exactly the same.

"If Ben Williams came up in the last minute to score the winner, everyone would celebrate in exactly the same way as if James Hanson had got it. We don't mind who gets that achievement for the club, although we'll all be secretly hoping it's us."

Bradford plasterers and decorators had better beware.