Matty Palmer has explained that more of a structure within his Notts County side has enabled them to progress this season following their play-off quarter-final defeat last season.
After going eight games unbeaten, the Magpies suffered their first defeat of the season last weekend, losing 3-1 to Dorking Wanderers at Meadowbank Park courtesy of a James McShane hat-trick.
But ahead of their trip to York City this Saturday, the 26-year-old revealed that manager Luke Williams has given his side more of a base to work with, giving out clear tactical instructions that have allowed Notts to not solely focus on trying to score as many goals as possible and to be more solid defensively.
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Former manager Neal Ardley had similar ideas to the current head coach in wanting to control possession of the football, but Palmer highlighted that their attack-minded approach contributed to conceding avoidable goals that ultimately resulted in the Magpies failing to gain promotion to the EFL.
Speaking on Friday afternoon, Palmer explained: "We have just got a different sort of style.
"Last season it was more about keeping the ball and even though we were very attacking now, we have maybe got a little bit more of a structure to it whereas last season, it was almost all out attack sort of thing which sometimes was really good, and sometimes was maybe our downfall.
"The gaffer has brought in good players to replace the ones we lost last season, and they have all chipped in and all gone well so far this season.
"Every coach has their own ideas and their own way of doing things and you are constantly learning as a player which is always nice.
"He (Williams) pushes you in a way that is different to the previous manager, and he expects different things from you. It is really nice to play in, he is always pushing me on the training pitch to get as many touches as possible on the ball and it has been really nice to work with him so far."
The midfielder has started seven of nine games this season, featuring from the bench in the opening two fixtures of the season. Further alluding to Williams' influence on the squad at Meadow Lane, Palmer explained it has been a pleasing start to the season, labelling the style of play 'perfect' for his midfield attributes.
"It has been really pleasing, we have made a good start to the season minus last weekend, but the playing style that the gaffer has brought in and all of his staff, it is really enjoyable to play in and you see a lot of the ball which is perfect for a player like myself.
"It has been a really good start to the season, all the players have brought into it and there is a good feeling around the camp and hopefully we can continue it."
In what has been an excellent start to the season for the 2021/22 Players' Player of the Season, the midfielder continues to be instrumental in the middle of the park, forming a great understanding with Jim O'Brien and Ruben Rodrigues when going forward.
And Palmer pinpointed Notts' last home game against Aldershot as his most enjoyable performance under Williams' tenure at Meadow Lane in what was almost the complete midfield performance.
"It is nice to play in when it comes off and so far this season minus Dorking, it has come off", said Palmer.
"We obviously work a lot on that in training, there is a lot of patterns that we go through, and we try and replicate that on a Saturday.
"When we played against Aldershot at home, it was nice because I was touching the ball pretty much every other pass sometimes, and it was nice to be involved further forward with Ruben (Rodrigues) and we are playing one-twos around players.
"It is nice to play in, it is what I love playing in so, so far so good."
