There were probably times last season when Bryn Hargreaves wondered what he had let himself in for in swapping St Helens for Bradford.

Mick Potter’s men endured an utterly miserable, injury-ravaged season and finished tenth, missing out on the Super League play-offs for the third year running.

For a man who grew accustomed to competing for silverware and reaching Grand Finals at St Helens, it was not what Hargreaves had in mind when he followed Potter over the Pennines.

But to speak to the amiable front-rower at the Bulls’ training HQ this week was to listen to a man at ease with himself and with confidence coursing through his veins. After three wins in four games, it is little wonder.

“You play sport to win and when you’re putting in performances and getting victories, everything is so much better both on and off the field,” said Hargreaves.

“Beating St Helens last week was massive. We needed the win for the fans because we’d obviously not won at home yet. We owed it to them but we also did it for ourselves.

“It was good to get a win against a Saints side who, albeit it, probably weren’t firing on all cylinders. Nevertheless, they’re still a very good side with international players throughout the team. We turned them over and it breeds confidence.”

Hargreaves, 26, played a pivotal role against his erstwhile employers, capping a series of powerful displays with perhaps his best of the season.

Manase Manuokafoa was similarly formidable and Hargreaves admits they have had to step up to the plate after injuries to fellow props Craig Kopczak and Nick Scruton.

“It felt as though we dominated their forwards last week,” said Hargreaves, who believes he is in the best shape of his career.

“When you think about the firepower currently missing in Nick and Craig, it bodes well. I’m enjoying the pressure of being the one to step up and be a starting prop.

“I’ve been a starting player for quite a few years but I’m doing longer minutes and there’s probably a bit more pressure on my shoulders to perform this year.

“I’m enjoying that because I’ve worked a lot on my fitness during the pre-season with the fewer interchanges and I’m feeling a lot better in myself and a lot fitter. I think that’s showing out on the field.”

Hargreaves is enjoying playing with Manuokafoa, who has begun to look at home in a Bulls jersey after a number of barnstorming displays. He said: “With regards to Nas, he started at Hull KR and was superb.

“When he first came he had a little bit of fat round the gut and wasn’t in the best shape. Quite a few of the boys were ahead of him but fair play to him.

“For a big Islander, he’s trimmed down a lot and he looks lean and mean. He’s still a big fella but he’s doing long minutes and getting through lots of work. I’m enjoying playing front row with him at the minute.”

Hargreaves cannot even contemplate failure to beat Salford as the Bulls bid to maintain their resurgent form tomorrow.

“Salford have been the surprise package this season and are definitely a team to be reckoned with,” he reasoned.

“But we know it’s a definite must-win game for us if we want to stay in the right part of the table. We’re approaching the game with that mentality.”