Matt Palmer: Derby Day Will Be Tough, but Notts County Are Ready for the Challenge

i would hope the players can forget about how important the game is in terms of rivalry and just play to get the win. its great to have matt palmer back and we had missed his absence last season, but i think now hes back its exciting to see him lead the team as the captain. i hope he can inspire the lads to remain calm as he tends to be, as nothing ever seems to effect palmer, hes a good player for us.

It is reassuring to see Matt almost back to full fitness & leading the team from the  centre of midfield. 

Over the coming weeks, as he gets more match time, I'm sure that his influence will grow & the team will be all the better for it. 

Matt is now part of a dwindling number that experienced the euphoria of winning at Wembley. It was a special day that will never be forgotten.

Matt is confident that the team that Stuart has built can only get better, & Matt is absolutely determined to ensure that will be the case.

The trip to Chesterfield will be tough, & Notts will have to be at their best to get a positive result, but there is every chance that they will. 

And the news that David McGoldrick is available for the game will be a big lift for the players & fans alike.

Great to see Matt back in the starting XI! His leadership is so important, and we need him in top form for these big games.

I thought Matt’s comments on his return from injury were really insightful. A lot of people forget the mental side of recovery and how difficult it can be to get back to full match fitness after such a long layoff. He’s been honest about how tough it was, but he’s shown resilience, and it’s paying off. Watching him control the tempo of games again has been a joy. It’s clear that he’s getting sharper with every game, and that’s only going to benefit the team. He’s also been a brilliant leader, both on and off the pitch, guiding the newer players and keeping everyone grounded. We’re lucky to have him as captain.

Yes it is good to see Matty back, and also David McGoldrick back in contention for a place in the team.

Did ya'll see we've got the same ref who ref'd our game at Wembley? COYP

It’s good to hear Matt Palmer’s thoughts ahead of the game. However, I don’t think the interviewer needed to mention the playoff final so much. That is in the past.

The focus should be on a typical League Two game, even if it’s a derby against Chesterfield. It’s great to hear about the playoff final, but from the question point of view, it’s all hype. This only leads to some fans having higher expectations.

We need to take it as it comes, see how both teams prepare, and just try to get a good result away from home.

All Notts can do is stay focused, work hard, and keep their heads down. No matter the result, we are a stronger team now and have settled into the season.

Some fans might not be keen on Matt Palmer as captain because he's more reserved, but I believe he's just as good as anyone else. From what he says, I think this is exactly why he's our captain,bhe's a true professional who always gives his best.

Always love hearing Matt's thoughts. His play-off memories are iconic, and you can tell how much it means to him!

Palmer’s comments about the changes in the squad hit the nail on the head. It’s never easy to integrate new players, and it does take time for everyone to get on the same page. But having someone like Matt, who’s been through it all and remains such a steady presence, is massive for the club. His leadership style, leading by example, works well, especially when there are so many new faces in the dressing room. We’ve started the season well, but as Matt says, there’s still a lot of room for improvement, which is exciting because we know the squad has even more to offer. I’m really optimistic about where we’re heading this season.

Matt Palmer’s recollection of the play-off final gave me chills, it was such a rollercoaster of a game! The bit about his penalty record was funny, but it just shows how candid he is. More importantly, I think his reflections on the team now are spot on. It’s easy to forget how many new players we’ve got, and he’s right that it takes time to build those relationships on the pitch. Despite that, we’ve started really well, and I’ve no doubt we’ll only get better. Having someone like Palmer to guide the team through this period of adjustment is so crucial.

It’s so clear how much being back in the starting line-up means to Matt. You can see how much more comfortable he is when he’s controlling the game from the start, rather than coming off the bench. His comments about match fitness really show how tough it is to get back to the level he’s used to, but with each game, he looks sharper. His leadership on the pitch is undeniable, he leads by example, keeps things calm, and just quietly gets the job done. I think the squad can only benefit from having someone like him around, especially with so many new faces still settling in. A proper professional.

Interesting to hear Matt talk about the squad changes. It’s clear we’re still finding our rhythm, but we’re on the right path.

Matt Palmer’s insight into the play-off final shows just how much emotion was involved, not just for the fans but for the players too. The way he described the uncertainty after the early indirect free kick and the tension throughout the penalties really brings back the drama of that day. It’s clear those moments will stay with him forever, and rightly so, it was a defining time for Notts.

What’s really impressive, though, is how Matt balances looking back with focusing on the future. He’s very honest about the challenges we face with so many new players and needing time to gel. But you can tell he’s confident in the squad’s ability to keep improving. His experience and calm leadership will be key to us finding consistency this season.

Palmer’s reflections on the play-off final really bring back those intense moments. I was on the edge of my seat during that game, and it’s fascinating to hear how much the players themselves went through mentally. You can feel the emotion he describes, especially with the relief after Cedwyn’s penalty. It’s also good to hear how grounded he is about this season. The squad has definitely changed a lot, but I think his point about needing time to gel is spot on. I’ve got no doubt that with Matt’s leadership, we’ll continue to improve as the season progresses.

Matt’s leadership style is exactly what we need—leads by example, not just shouting. It’s paying off.

Matt Palmer has a lot of good qualities. Some fans criticise him for not being able to score, but this has never been his game. We shouldn't pressure players with this because it leads to them trying, and if they aren't good at it, it will lead to further criticism. Allow him to do what he has been doing well since being at Notts. I also disagree that he hasn't been the same since his injury. He's just returning to football. That's all.