“I AM a bit of a poser, so I do like getting top try-scorer,” jokes Ryan Fieldhouse when asked if he has set himself any personal targets for the 2017 season after agreeing a new contract with Barrow Raiders.

“I fell a bit short this season just gone, but I'll definitely going to set myself on getting top try-scorer this year.”

For the record, the full-back was just three behind the Raiders' leading try-scorers – the now-departed duo Cameron Pitman and Chris Hankinson, who crossed the line 13 times each - during this year's Kingstone Press League One campaign, which can hardly be considered a bad return from 23 appearances.

Indeed, it is perhaps a sign he is getting back to the form he previously showed during a four-year spell with hometown club Halifax in the Championship, having only managed to cross the whitewash three times in an injury-blighted 2015 season at Dewsbury Rams.

That is thanks in no small part to a freer role the 28-year-old has been afforded at Barrow by head coach Paul Crarey, who likes to use the full-back as an extra pivot when attacking, and Fieldhouse is relishing the opportunity to play a more expansive game.

“I had a good chat with Paul before I signed last season and about the style of rugby he plays,” said Fieldhouse. “I've been at other clubs where I've been restricted in positional play, but Paul wanted me to be free and play what I see.

“I think it worked well. It took me a little while to settle in, but towards the back end I definitely thought I showed my best form and I want to start off on the same foot next year as well.

“I want to enjoy playing my football, but I want to win as well and if I can get my hands on the ball any time to help us get that win or help the team out, that's definitely what I want to be doing.”

This year was as much about rediscovering his enjoyment of rugby league and rebuilding his confidence for Fieldhouse following the ACL injury he suffered while at Dewsbury, which saw him miss most of the first half of the 2015 season.

Barrow proved the perfect place for him to do just that and there was little hesitation in agreeing to stay on at Craven Park for 2017, despite interest from another League One club and at least two Championship outfits.

“I had a few offers from a few others clubs, but I've enjoyed it,” said Fieldhouse. “I had a bad injury last year where I ended up snapping my ACL in my knee, and I spoke to Cresta and I liked the things he was doing.

“I wanted to get my confidence back and start enjoying my rugby again, and I think I've done that under Cresta and I'm enjoying it, so it was an easy decision, to be fair.”

A recurring theme when speaking to Raiders players is their emphasis on the sense of togetherness within the squad and Fieldhouse is no different in believing that was a significant factor in the club's success last season – particularly during the nine-game unbeaten run which secured their play-off place.

And he is in no doubt that is what has helped make Barrow an attractive proposition for signings of the calibre of ex-St Helens half-back Lewis Charnock, and highly-regarded Workington Town duo Jarrad Stack and Declan Hulme.

“I can't remember where the turning point was, but when we did click it was down to the togetherness and everyone bought into what we were doing,” said Fieldhouse.

“To be fair, I've not really been at a club where it has been as good, and when everyone is buying into it and all doing the same thing, training is going well and we're winning, it's a great club to be around.

“That's what's attracting other players and why we were so successful towards the back end of the year.”