By Chris
Notts County are preparing for the first home game of the 2017/18 League Two season, hosting local rivals Chesterfield at Meadow Lane on Saturday.
The Magpies did not get off to a particularly good start, losing 3-0 at Coventry City last week, but a much-changed team put in an impressive display at Scunthorpe United in the League Cup on Tuesday, taking the League One side all the way to penalties at Glanford Park.
Now, the clock is ticking down to the opportunity to see Notts back on hallowed turf, and what better way to start than against a local enemy who was relegated last season? It's a pretty exciting fixture and it should hopefully be a good game - with Notts getting the spoils (hopefully!).
Pride of Nottingham spoke to two Notts fans, Jürgen Halligan and Nigel Nattrass, about their thoughts on how the game against Chesterfield will pan out, as well as a couple of general questions about themselves and how they see the season going.
Jürgen Halligan
Jürgen has been a Notts fan since 1974 - he had previously never been to a football match so he wandered down to Meadow Lane to see Notts beat Oxford 4-1 and got bitten by the Black and White bug.
His favourite Notts player of all time is Don Masson, while his favourite current Magpie is Shola Amoebi.
Q1) What games between Notts and Chesterfield do you remember from years gone by?
I can remember losing 2-1 at Saltergate and Jack Lester continously diving.
Q2) Which of the East Midlands derbies this season are you looking forward to the most?
Has to be Mansfield.
Q3) Are you worried about our start to the season or should things be alright?
Only played one league game, long way to go.
Q4) Out of all the new signings, who do you think will have the most impact?
Ryan Yates looks a very good loan signing.
Q5) Where do you think Notts will finish this season?
10th in the table.
Q6) Who do you think will finish in the top 3, in the playoffs, and in the bottom two?
Top three: Luton, Coventry, Port Vale. Playoffs: Mansfield, Swindon, Exeter, Forest Green. Bottom two: Yeovil and Morecambe.
Nigel Nattrass (aka Natty)
Natty has supported Notts since 1970. He was born into a Notts supporting family and is athird, if not fourth, generation fan. His grandad saw the last game at Trent Bridge and the first game at Meadow Lane.
His favourite all-time player is Don Masson, while his current pick is Jorge Grant.
Q1) Have you ever been to Saltergate and/or the Proact Stadium?
I went to Saltergate many times since the early 1970s. Been two or three times to the Proact because I follow the development / youth team when I can.
Q2) Which of the East Midlands derbies this season are you looking forward to the most?
All of them... but particularly Lincoln.
Q3) What fixtures are you most looking forward this season and why?
The playoff final!! And Forest Green Rovers away (new ground for me).
Q4) Who should be playing in goal - Collin, Fitzsimons or Pindroch?
Fitzsimons, based on his display on Tuesday night.
Q5) Who do you think will be our key player this season?
Jorge Grant.
Q6) Promotion this season - yes or no?
I think automatic promotion is asking too much, but I'll be disappointed if we aren't at least in with a shout of making the playoffs come Easter. I see no reason why we shouldn't make the playoffs and then anything can happen.
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