ST Valentine’s Day.

The perfect opportunity to let your heart rule your head, for emotional, affection-charged verse rather than logic and common sense.

A time for passion and commitment (like Paul Lambert and his fired-up players at Norwich).

A time for chemistry, compatibility and blossoming relationships (of which there were several on display in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Derby).

And a time for infatuation – staying loyal and true to your first love, defiant in the face of adversity.

So while my head goes for a kickabout, I’m going to let my heart do the talking and say that maybe, just maybe, it’s not an impossible dream in terms of Town’s chances of staying in the Championship.

At face value, I admit, it’s more horror than romance.

Reading’s late winner against Blackburn means they’re ten points from safety (with an inferior goal difference).

But there are 14 games left – 42 points, effectively a third of the season – and how different things could look if Town beat Stoke this weekend and then win at Wigan next Saturday? Both very winnable dates.

I wouldn’t be writing in this tone had I not been so encouraged by Wednesday’s performance against the Rams.

Town were great, after another woeful start, and while the points could have gone either way, the display offered such hope.

Optimism must be tempered by realism, of course, but here are five reasons why it’s not a foregone conclusion just yet.

* Jonas Knudsen.

The Dane has been frozen out in recent weeks but was offered the olive branch at Carrow Road and then stole the show (amid fierce competition from his team-mates) against the Rams.

He looked formidable at centre-half, rather than left-back, and put his body on the line with countless blocks and well-timed tackles.

Matt Pennington was also first-class, so could this be the start of a blossoming defensive partnership?

And that’s without factoring in Luke Chambers and James Collins.

* Town’s midfield diamond worked a treat.

Trevoh Challobah was hugely effective as the anchor, flanked by the industrious, tireless Teddy Bishop and Flynn Downes.

Bishop, in particular, looks a real talent again – the player he showed glimpses of becoming before injury ravaged the last year of his career.

* Alan Judge, playing at the tip of that diamond, looks a truly class act – an excellent, astute addition.

Lambert needed to pull a rabbit out of the hat during last month’s transfer window.

Judge is that man – the sort of player who pops up everywhere, busy, urgent and always demanding the ball.

His set-pieces are a joy and he’s not afraid to shoot.

Could he be the answer to a long-standing problem? I’ll let you be the Judge (sorry).

* It’s blindingly obvious but how great to see Town start with two strikers on Wednesday (rather, going back to the dating analogy, than a singleton, ploughing a lone furrow and easily shackled by towering centre-halves).

Two physical, robust strikers at that.

They held the ball up, relished the battle and looked a genuine threat, especially in tandem with Judge.

Scoring goals, or a lack of them, has been a major problem but these two, and this formation, could be the solution.

* Finally, I’m going to doth my cap to the Town fans.

Their support was outstanding, even straight after the bodyblow of conceding another second-minute goal.

There was genuine appreciation at the end and I’m pretty sure others will feel the same as me this morning.

As much as anything, it just felt great to have enjoyed a game at Portman Road. To leave the ground feeling enthused.

Entertainment has been in short supply for too long but this was a timely treat – the best of the season so far.

So there you have it.

Five quick reasons to have a spring in your step this morning.

Survival remains an almighty long shot.

Town’s chances are razor-thin and I could be left with egg on my face if things turn sour again this weekend.

But love is about taking risks and putting your faith and trust in people.

So allow me a moment to dream, to hope and believe.

Today of all days.