Exclusive: Matt Palmer Opens Up on ACL Heartbreak and Captaincy Role in Notts County’s Promotion Push

Matt Palmer has lifted the lid on the torture of the knee injury which curtailed his promotion ambitious at Notts County last season.

The Magpies were second when the experienced midfielder suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

Palmer’s absence left a huge void to fill and the 29-year-old was forced to agonisingly watch on from the sidelines as County slipped down the table.

But the former Rotherham ace, who has enjoyed five promotions during his career so far, is back fit and firing with Stuart Maynard’s side bona fide promotion contenders this term.

“It was very tough,” Palmer admitted to SportsBoom.com in an exclusive interview. 

“Injuries are never a good thing, it was one of the worst ones you could do.”

“It was the first time, and touch wood the last, major injury I’ve ever experienced.”

“It was tough mentally because you’re very much by yourself, in the gym doing your own thing and not part of it with the lads.”

"We had made a really good start to the season and we were second when I got injured.”

“I remember we beat Doncaster away and you go top of the league and think you have a real chance of promotion. Then you slip down the table and when you’re not playing and can’t influence it it’s not a nice feeling.”

“It was a very difficult season, but I’ve come back well from it and feel good now.”

“I wouldn’t say I blamed myself, but you sit there and watch and think you could help.”

“It’s frustrating because you can’t do anything. It was more frustration than getting angry at myself. There were times I felt so far away from getting back to it.”

A MAN WHO LEADS FROM THE FRONT

The Magpies rediscovered their mojo over the festive period and have won four of their last five games with their only defeat coming at the hands of runaway league leaders Walsall. 

Palmer is relishing the pressure of being captain at the oldest professional club in the world as they try to navigate their way back to the third tier for the third time in a decade. 

He added: “I like the pressure of being captain. I’m not the typical captain who’s shouting and getting everyone up for the game in the changing room."

“I knew that before I took it on. The club knew I wasn’t going to change who I am.”

“My way of doing captaincy is saying certain things at the right time, but by leading by example on the pitch. That’s the route I go down.”

“I give everything each game, because you can’t expect others to if you don’t. I train to the best of my ability everyday and hope others follow.”

“There is a bit more pressure that comes with being captain, that's fine by me. When you lose you take a bit more flak from fans by being captain and that’s fine. I’m not too fussed about that."

"League two’s a weird league where anyone can sort of beat anyone. Each week you come in and see some of the scores and it’s a bit random really."

"If you can be the most consistent sort of team, it’s impossible to win every single game, but if you’re not losing many and when you can’t win you draw that gives you the best chance to get promoted."