Luke Oliver laughingly disputes whether Andrew Davies should take all the credit for his freaky free-kick against Wimbledon.

But with Rory McArdle also getting on the scoresheet on Saturday, there is no argument about the only centre half yet to get off the mark.

Phil Parkinson has targeted more goals from his defenders this season – it was an area where City really lacked last time.

Oliver netted only once in the league with a late winner at Southend in December. And having put a few headers over the bar so far, the heat is on to add to the team’s tally as quickly as possible.

He said: “Obviously I think the gaffer will be looking for everyone to chip in at some point this season. But I’m still not sure if Dava can count that one on his own!

“With the size of the team we’ve got, we’re going to be very dangerous at set-pieces. Other teams must have difficulty deciding who to mark because we’ve got quite a few good attackers of the ball in their box as well as our own.

“It’s getting in those positions and then making sure you hit the target – which I sometimes find difficult!

“But it can only be a bonus if you can get goals from different positions. Once you start relying on just one or two people to get the goals, it becomes hard if they are having an off day.”

Last season’s player of the year can detect a feelgood factor in the opening weeks generating from both the dressing room and the stands.

He added: “It’s definitely been a positive start and you can feel that with the fans and the players. There’s a sense that the belief is there.

“It’s only three league games in, which is nothing, but at the same time we’re fourth. Let’s not shy away from that.

“We’re normally fourth bottom after five games so it’s given us something to build on.”

These are changing times at Valley Parade . Oliver is one of only four survivors from January’s FA Cup trip to Watford who played on Saturday.

It’s the same with the Championship side, who are now under the command of Gianfranco Zola amid an Italian revolution behind the scenes at Vicarage Road.

Oliver said: “That’s just football as a whole now with so much chopping and changing. But it’s always nice to test yourself against higher opposition.

“There always seems to be a bit more football being played. You don’t have to hold back for anything and we’re looking to enjoy it – but you’ll only do that if you play well.

“Zola was a brilliant player and a fantastic ambassador for football. He did so much for the Premier League.

“I don’t think I’d want to play against him too much, though!

“His team will try to play like he did, with a bit of flair and lots of passing but we cannot afford to show them too much respect.”