BIBLICAL rain nearly washed out Ipswich Town's midweek match at Oxford United.

But it failed to dilute what, in the circumstances, can only be described as a very positive point.

Three would have been better, of course, but Blues fans can take more than a drop of comfort from their side's performance at the Kassam Stadium.

After the damp squib of recent weeks, Town appear to have turned a corner. Hopefully a case of sunshine after the rain.

Paul Lambert's men are third in the table and breathing down the necks of Rotherham and Wycombe.

They're proving a tough nut to crack (unbeaten in three) but it's the performances, as much as the results, that have sparked most optimism.

They were back to their exhilarating best during the first half of last weekend's 4-1 demolition of Accrington and it sounds like a heartening display at Oxford.

Another victory at Tranmere on Saturday (if the match goes ahead, given the state of the Merseysiders' pitch) would be a real tonic, making it seven points from nine this week and continuing the unbeaten start to 2020.

Players are regaining confidence, the squad is being topped up with new recruits and others are returning from long-term injury.

It adds up to a happy camp and there's plenty to look forward to this month alone, with winnable games against Tranmere and Lincoln before the potentially-pivotal date at leaders Rotherham.

Town then start February with a home date against Peterborough United, meaning former Colchester United hero Sammie Szmodics, who has joined Posh on loan from Bristol City, should be in action at Portman Road.

Continuing the U's connection, you may also have seen that former Town winger Mark Kennedy has been appointed head coach at Macclesfield Town - Colchester's opponents on Saturday.

Kennedy went on to be part of the Blues backroom staff but was also a versatile, if injury-prone, player at the club, from 2010 to 2012.

He made 30 appearances in his first season but just seven in his second, eventually bringing the curtain down on a glittering career that took in 466 league games, including spells at Liverpool, Manchester City and Wolves.