Kane Vincent-Young on the ball during Town's goalless draw against Doncaster Rovers Picture: ITFC

IPSWICH TOWN COMMENT

IT'S a gloomy time to be an Ipswich Town supporter.

The storm clouds have gathered, mud is being thrown and fingers pointed after an alarming four-game winless streak.

Three of those matches ended in defeat, performances have been sub-standard and chances are either at a premium or not being converted.

Consequently, Town have slithered from top spot to seventh in League One, with pressure now mounting heading into Saturday's home fixture against Burton Albion.

Who's to blame? Their underachieving players? Owner Marcus Evans? Manager Paul Lambert?

In truth, it's probably a combination of factors and it would seem the whole club is in a state of flux right now.

However, in a desperate bid to see light at the end of the tunnel, there was one timely nugget of news that made my ears prick up recently.

It concerned the impending return of flying wing-back Kane Vincent-Young.

According to Lambert, the former Colchester United man is doing "really, really well" and should be back after his groin surgery by the end of February. Hallelujah.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Kane Vincent-Young during the League One match between Ipswich and Tranmere Rovers Picture: ITFC

That, for me, is the best update for a while because KVY, a snip at £500,000, was sensational during September and October.

He settled and adapted to the higher level almost immediately and his athletic, energetic performances up and down the right-hand side illuminated those early-autumn months.

He single-handedly embodied the optimism sweeping around the club and results were testament to that.

In his nine appearances, all starts, Town won seven, drew one and lost just once (the 2-0 setback against Rotherham United on October 23).

They hit 18 goals (even my basic maths tells me that's a couple in each game) and, incredibly, only conceded four. Half came in that shock defeat against the Millers.

Town didn't concede once in his first five outings and, at the other end, KVY also chipped in with a couple himself - the winner at Gillingham and his majestic run and finish against Tranmere Rovers.

Proof, if any were needed, of what a seismic, monumental loss (at both ends of the pitch) he's been since late-October.

The sooner he's back - fit, revitalised and hungry - the better.

In the meantime, Town have to buck their ideas up.

As things stand, they're stuttering and fluffing their lines.

Their promotion 'push' is looking more feeble than forceful and that has to change soon - before it's too late.