STRIKER Vadaine Oliver believes York City's pre-season programme has "gone brilliantly".

Manager Russ Wilcox's first summer signing has been thrilled by what he has seen at his new club in their opening outings at Bootham Crescent against Middlesbrough, Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday.

The former Lincoln and Crewe forward, who has made no secret of his ambition to play in the Championship one day, believes the performances produced so far by the Minstermen have been a "massive positive".

"I think it has gone brilliantly," the 23-year-old said. "For the fans it is a real positive to see how well we have gone against Championship opposition. Middlesbrough were one game off making it to the Premier League. For us, it's a big bonus.

"Now we have got a week where we can get back together and just build on what we have been doing. We have got big games coming up, like Newcastle, which will be a big test.

"I think it is a massive positive to see how well we have done. We have not been over-run by any team. I think out of the three, Leeds were the better team. They kept it really well and, at the end, we came out with a draw.

"That's a massive bonus for us."

Oliver is yet to get off the mark for City but was employed in a deeper position against Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend, where he terrorised Owls centre-halves Vincent Sasso and Tom Lees. He is under no doubt that the goals will soon arrive.

"I think I have got both sides to my game," the former Wednesday academy player added when asked whether he saw himself as a target-man or a goalscorer. "I've shown that when I went to Mansfield on loan. I played in similar systems to what I have here in the last couple of games.

"As the gaffer has already said, the formation we played against Sheffield Wednesday does have its downsides, but it also has its good sides in that we have a strong base."

He continued: "With me just as a lone striker, it kind of limits those options but if I am setting up goals and the boys are scoring from them then that is a plus.

"It's a great thing. As long as we are getting points on the board, goals will come for me - 100 per cent with the way I play - I know the goals will definitely come."

Reflecting on Sheffield Wednesday, he added: "It was a big thing because it was the first time, since leaving the club, that I have played against Sheffield Wednesday. It was good to see a few friendly faces that I haven't seen in a while and it was good to get out there.

"All the pre-season games have been a good test for me. It is showing the gaffer that I am capable of playing with them (Championship opposition). It is more developing my game and rounding things up and working on a few things to make sure I can make it to that kind of level.

"I didn't feel out of place on the pitch with them - I don't think any of us did - and I thought we were the better side. Playing against Championship teams, like we have done for the last week or two, has been a really good test for the boys."