Another tricky-looking test passed with flying colours.

Saturday’s polished performance and 2-0 home win over Middlesbrough gives further weight to the growing feeling that this could well be Ipswich Town’s season.

When the 5ft 5in Jay Tabb leaps like a salmon to power home a headed goal, it’s hard not to believe that 13, the number of successive seasons the Blues have spent in the Championship, could be a lucky number.

Not that there’s been any luck involved. Mick McCarthy has slowly but surely formed a balanced squad with all the ingredients required for success.

Strong, physical and direct, yes, but also flexible, fluid and skilful too. Just look at the slick build-up to the two goals at the weekend. In classy teenage midfielder Teddy Bishop the club certainly has a real gem.

There’s a good mix of wily, experienced pros with game-nous and fearless youngsters who can express themselves.

All of them, to a man, are positive personalities willing to play their role for the greater cause. The spirit and camaraderie in the camp is plain to see.

It’s a potent force which will take some stopping. The Blues keep running into teams supposedly in-form and coming out the other side smelling of roses.

Wolves, Watford, Bournemouth, Charlton, Leeds, Bolton and Middlesbrough were all tough-looking tests on paper. Yet Town are hitting their stride and taking each hurdle with increasing confidence and belief.

It’s a run of form which means Mick McCarthy’s second-placed men head into their Boxing Day game at third-placed Brentford, a side who have won seven of their last eight games, with no fear or trepidation.

With no-one taking the Championship by the scruff of the neck, the Blues keep ticking along like a well-oiled machine.