STRIKER Jonathan Obika reckons the more defensive approach of many of Town’s opponents is helping them hone their killer instinct in front of goal.

Last weekend’s 3-0 triumph at Notts County was Town’s fifth league win in a row and keeps them hot on the heels of leaders Bristol City ahead of the visit of Doncaster Rovers to the County Ground on Saturday.

Swindon chief Mark Cooper maintains his team are still flying ‘under the radar’ – but the threat posed by Town is strong enough for opponents to adopt a more defence-minded approach to counter them.

And Obika believes the fact Town are now being made to work harder to create chances is actually assisting them.

“You can tell people are looking at us and you can tell by our opposition. How they come up against us they’re very defensive, so we know we’re doing something right,” said Obika.

“With the gaffer and the management that’s what we work on during the week, how to cut open the defence if the team is there to sit. When it comes off on a Saturday we’re happy.

“It definitely does [sharpen you playing defensive sides].

“There’s been games where it’s been quite tough – Preston defended very well and we had one or two chances throughout the game. Against Notts County we opened them up a lot and could have got more.

“It’s a great feeling [when you’ve got teams on the rack]. You get confidence and it’s like smelling blood. You can sense when a team is on the ropes. Hopefully we can put that together on Saturday.”

There can be few doubts that Town have so far exceeded expectations in 2014-15 but Obika is adamant no one at the County Ground is getting carried away.

And although the 24-year-old would love nothing more than to extend the current winning run to eight games over the festive spell, which also includes fixtures at Walsall and at home to Port Vale, a win against Doncaster is the top priority.

“We’re all buzzing. It’s a silent confidence – we do all our work throughout the week and on Saturday we’re happy it pays off,” said Obika.

“We have to use this run to our advantage. We’ve done well so far and we have to just maintain.

“It’s still early in the season and if we’re going to reach the heights we want to we have to cool and calm.

“Of course [we’ll target three wins], that’s always the case. In any game you play you want to get maximum points but you can’t look too far ahead.”